DeRidder Scores Twice in Vikings' 4-2 Win Over Panthers

SALEM, Mass. -- Spencer DeRidder (Rochester, N.Y.) scored twice as Salem State knocked off first place Plymouth State 4-2 on Saturday afternoon in MASCAC action at Rockett Arena. The Vikings now have a four game unbeaten streak (2-0-2) as they go to 4-11-4 on the season and 4-6-2 in conference. The Panthers lost their first league game since early November and slip to 9-8-2 and 9-2-1 in conference.

Brett Backman (Cos Cobb Conn.) put Plymouth State on the board first when he beat Salem State goaltender Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) glove side in the 11^th minute. However,
Connor Woolley (Poghquag, N.Y.) answered with the equalizer for the Vikings just over five minutes later as the teams exited the first period tied 1-1.

DeRidder put Salem State on top as he converted from just inside the faceoff circle nine minutes into the second. The Vikings extended the margin when Richard Coyle (Weymouth, Mass.) notched his third goal for Salem State at the 14:28 mark of the second.

DeRidder added his second early in the third, scoring on a breakaway off a nice feed from Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) to give the Vikings a commanding 4-1 lead. Myles Abbate (Norwell, Mass.) chipped into the advantage with a power play goal for the Panthers as 7:31 of the third, but the Vikings' defense did the rest as they limited Plymouth State to just four shots on goal in the final period.

Cleary picked up the win with 14 saves while Brendahn Brawley (Morton, Pa.) made 14 stops in the loss.