BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Fifth-seeded Salem State University advanced to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championship game on penalty kicks after forging a 0-0 double overtime tie with top-seeded Bridgewater State University in the semifinal round of the 2024 MASCAC Men's Soccer Tournament on Friday afternoon at Mazzaferro Field. Salem won the penalty kick shootout by a margin of 4-2.

The visiting Vikings (6-7-6) will travel to either second-seeded Westfield State University or third-seeded Fitchburg State University on Sunday with the MASCAC title and a trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament on the line. Westfield and Fitchburg are playing in the other semifinal round matchup tonight at seven o'clock.

The Bears end the season with an overall record of 10-5-3.

In the shootout session, Salem converted all four of its opportunities with freshmen Michael Echavarria (Boston, Mass.), Naderson Curtis (Manchester, Mass.) and Ishmail Kamara (Freetown, Sierra Leone), and senior Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.) all finding the back of the net. Xavier's conversion on Salem's fourth attempt sent the Vikings to the MASCAC title game. Freshman goalkeeper Marcelo Silva (Marlborough, Mass.), who did not play in regulation or overtime, stopped two of the Bears' four shootout attempts. Senior Jacob Ramos (New Bedford, Mass.) and sophomore Hector Bucio (North Easton, Mass.) converted on Bridgewater's first and fourth attempts, respectively.

The Bears finished with a 21-10 shot advantage for the game and had the better of the opportunities during regulation and overtime. Only eight of Bridgewater's 21 shots were on frame, while Salem had just two shots on goal.

Bucio had a couple of scoring opportunities within the first 20 minutes of the contest including a glorious chance in the 20th minute that was turned aside by Salem defender Charlie Goncalves (Pembroke, Mass.).

Salem senior keeper Erik Berg (Hadley, Mass.) made a terrific save on a well-struck shot by BSU junior Filippo Mucci (Vineyard Haven, Mass.) in the 51st minute and stopped Bucio again in the 68th minute to keep the game scoreless. A Mucci header off a nice cross from sophomore Nicholas Ribeiro (Bellingham, Mass.) sailed over the crossbar in the 74th minute, and Mucci was stoned on a point-blank range shot by Berg in the 83rd minute.

Bucio also had a goal called back due to an offside call midway through the second overtime.

Berg made seven saves to record his second shutout of the season.

BSU senior netminder Lukas Ekmanis (Baxter, Tenn.) was forced to make just two saves as he earned his MASCAC-leading fifth shutout of the 2024 campaign.

Notes: Salem holds a 33-15-7 advantage in the all-time series against the Bears including a 6-2-3 mark in the MASCAC Tournament.