Vikings Upend Corsairs 5-3

SALEM, Mass. – Joe Smith (Holbrook, Mass.) scored a goal and added an assist as Salem State skated to a 5-3 victory over UMass Dartmouth on "Senior Day" at Rockett Arena on Saturday. The win lifts the Vikings record to 8-10 overall and 6-9 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). The Corsairs lose their sixth straight to go to 8-12-1 and 5-9-1 in conference.

Salem State honored the seven members of its senior class on Saturday. Joona Sato-Hunsula (Turku, Findland), Matt Yianacopolus (Wakefield, Mass.), Kevin Stoya (Lake George, N.Y.), Joe Smith (Holbrook, Mass.), Billy Falter (Wilmington, Mass.), Landon Hasenfuss (Hanover, Mass.) and Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) were recognized for their commitment and dedication to the Vikings' program in a pre-game ceremony.

UMass Dartmouth's Austin Miller (Meridian, Idaho) punched in a rebound for the first goal of the game at 7:27 of the first. However, Salem State came storming back, scoring three unanswered goals, including two in the final minute to take a 3-1 lead into the second period. Matt Yianacopolus (Wakefield, Mass.), scored his first of the year at 8:55 before Eamonn Miller (Victoria, British Columbia) and Luke Day (Ottsville, Pa.) added back-to-back goals just seven seconds apart right before the period ended.

Michael Perrone (Mt. Sinail, N.Y.) battled in front of the net and put home a rebound on a 5-on-3 power-play to draw the Corsairs to within a goal, 3-2 at the 11:46 mark of the second. Smith then put Salem State back in front by two goals as his slapshot slipped in underneath the pad of goalie Daniel Davidson (Surrey, B.C.) for a Vikings' power-play goal at 17:14 of the second.

Billy McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) found Richard Coyle (Weymouth, Mass.) for Salem State's fifth goal early in the third as the junior beat Davidson stick-side 5:27 into the period. Later, Perrone added his second of the game at the 14:15 mark, making the score 5-3.

The Corsairs pulled their goalie for the final two minutes of the game, but could not draw closer as goalie Joona Sato-Hunsula (Turku, Findland) earned his fifth win of the season (5-8). Sato-Hunsula made 35 saves in the victory. Davidson (5-5-1) took the loss, stopping 22-of-27 shots.

UMass Dartmouth held a 38-28 advantage in shots on net.