McCarthy, Vikings Hold Off Corsairs 1-0

SALEM, Mass. - Goalie Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass) finished with six saves, including several in the final minutes as Salem State edged UMass Dartmouth 1-0 at Alumni Field on Saturday. McCarthy was perfect in goal, especially down the stretch as the Corsairs took 10 corners in the final period alone. Salem State's defense held with McCarthy as the backbone, saving three shots in the fourth quarter. The Vikings improve to 8-5 on the season and 4-4 in the Little East Conference (LEC). UMass Dartmouth slides to 4-8 for the year and 2-5 in the LEC.

Both teams struggled to score in the first half. Hailey Boucher (Leicester, Mass.) managed to get a shot off right before the halftime buzzer sounded, but McCarthy made a diving save to prevent the Corsairs from scoring.

It was scoreless at the half, with the Vikings attempting four shots (one on target) while UMass Dartmouth took three shots (two on target). The Corsairs held a 5-1 advantage in corners.

In the fourth quarter, Kylie Dias (Fall River, Mass.) broke free and was one-on-one with goalie McCarthy. However, the forward's bid was swallowed up by McCarthy, preserving the 0-0 tie.

With eight minutes remaining in the fourth, Danton scored on a turn-around shot that bounced high into the net to secure the Vikings' win 1-0.

McCarthy earned her second shutout of the season in net. Goalie Katelyn Banalewicz (Fall River, Mass.) took the loss finishing with two saves. The Corsairs took 18 corners to Salem State's four.