Vikings Advance to MASCAC Semifinals

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- Claire Fallica (Acton, Mass.) scored a goal and an assist as third seed Salem State defeated fourth seeded Fitchburg State, 4-3 in MASCAC quarterfinal action on Wednesday evening at Alumni Field. The Vikings advance to the MASCAC semifinal against number one seed Worcester State on Friday as they improve their season record to 7-10. while Falcons end their season 4-13.  

Salem State started the game with an intense attack on Fitchburg State's zone. Within the first minute, Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) had a corner opportunity and almost landed a shot inside the net. A few minutes later, Claire Fallica (Acton, Mass.) scored on a brilliant goal near the goalpost, left side with an assist from Mikayla Mason. Their lead was short-lived as Sophia Yates (Woodstock, VT.) managed to beat Izzy Mosley (Middleborough, Mass.) by scoring a goal. Mosley had been looking to make a nice save, but couldn't quite get there. Autumn Tibbetts (Lunenburg, Mass.) was credited with the assist. 

Late in the quarter, Fitchburg was awarded a penalty corner. Tibbetts almost gave the Falcons the lead, but was denied by Mosley's unbelievable diving save to the left side of the net. With just seven seconds left on the clock, the Falcons broke the tie when Alexis Raymond (Tewksbury, Mass.) scored with her stick high. Olivia Narkevicius (Phillipston, Mass.) earned the assist. 

Jenna Morse (Leominster, Mass.) saved one of two shots, while Mosley saved two of three shots. Fitchburg had five penalty corners, and Salem State had two. The Vikings had four fouls, and the Falcons had two. 

In the second quarter, Mikayla Mason's shot was blocked by one of the Falcons' defenders. Just a few seconds later, Alexia Hamilton (Burlington, Mass.) scored a goal between Morse's legs to tie the score at 2-2. Mason then received a yellow card and had to sit down for five minutes during the game, leaving the Vikings to play with one player down. 

Both teams were attacking each other's zones, and things were getting increasingly competitive. Mikayla Mason was then called for a high-stick. Raymond scored her second goal of the game near the left side of the net with an assist from Yates.   

At halftime, Salem State was down by a goal. Mosley had saved three of six shots, while Morse had saved three of five shots. The Falcons had eight penalty corners, and the Vikings had three. Salem State had eight fouls, and Fitchburg had three. 

The third quarter, both teams were attacking each other's zones. Mid-way through the period, Salem State tied the game when Fallica made a beautiful pass to Ashley Yebba (Everett, Mass.), who shot one from 15 feet from the net. She showed her emotions on the field when she tied the game. The final two minutes of the quarter, the Vikings were putting pressure on the Falcons, which paid off in the last two seconds of the quarter when Allison Thomas (Carver, Mass.) made a brilliant spin move near the left side of the net and scored a goal, putting the Vikings ahead 4-3. 

Mosley saved four of seven shots, while Morse saved four of eight shots. Salem State had three penalty corners, and Fitchburg had nine. The Vikings had nine fouls, and the Falcons had three. 

The fourth quarter, the Falcons were looking to tie the game, and they missed an opportunity that could have been critical later during the period. As the game progressed, Fitchburg was attacking the Vikings' zone, hoping to tie the game, but Salem State held on for a 4-3 win. 

Mosley saved six of nine shots, while Morse saved five of nine. Fitchburg State had eleven penalty corners, and Salem State had four. The Vikings had ten fouls, and the Falcons had four.  

Salem State will now play against Worcester State in the MASCAC Semifinals. The game is scheduled for 6 p.m.