Lancers Stop Vikings 4-1

SALEM, Mass. - Brian Smith (Dracut, Mass.) finished with a goal and an assist to help lift the Worcester State Lancers to a 4-1 win over the Salem State Vikings on "Senior Day" at Richard H. Rockett Arena. The Lancers' had a strong second period, outshooting the Vikings 18-10 while posting two goals. Worcester State improves to 6-16-2 on the season and 4-12-1 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Salem State drops to 4-14-6 on the season and 4-9-4 in conference.   

Salem State honored seniors Brandon Wolfe (Granger, Ind.), Trey Olson (Omaha, Neb.), Cal Hofford (Woodbridge, Ont.) and Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) in a pre-game ceremony, acknowledging the four players for their commitment to the program.

The Vikings struck first when Trey Olsen (Omaha, Neb.) found Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) for a power play goal that put the Vikings up 1-0 early in the first. At 12:33, Steven Tettoni (Gloucester, Mass.) set up Smith, who redirected the puck into the right side of the net, tying the game 1-1.

1:40 into the second period, Worcester State scored quickly on a goal by Gunther Stange (Niles, III.). Mark Revniaga (Nahariya, Israel) recovered a loose puck and dished to Stange for an easy goal. With 7:22 left in the second period, Matthew Manning (Novi, Mich.) and Henry Bruckner (Franklin, Mass.) were in front of goalie Sean Cleary (Barnstable, Mass.) battling for the puck. Persistence finally paid off for Manning, who punched the puck through for a 3-1 lead.

In the third period, Tim Drevitch (Oxford, N.J.), on a second effort beat Cleary as the Lancers took command 4-1.

For the game, Worcester State's Nevin Tardif (Dunstable, Mass.) allowed one goal and saved 34 shots. Cleary allowed four goals while stopping 34 shots.