Fitchburg State Holds Off Salem State

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass.-  Kristopher Zapata (Cherry Hill, NJ) scored two goals to lead Fitchburg State past Salem State, 4-3 in MASCAC action at Rockett Arena on Thursday evening. The Falcons improved to 2-1-1, 1-0-1 while the Vikings slipped to 1-2, 1-1.   

At the start of the game, Salem State showed an aggressive approach, putting pressure on the Falcons'  zone. Chase Conlon (Anchorage, Alaska)  made a shot from about 20 feet out, but it was saved by the Falcons' goaltender, Max Macchioni  (North Kingstown, RI). As the game progressed, Salem State had opportunities to take the lead, but Macchioni made significant saves to deny them. 

The Falcons scored first as Sammuel Rennick (Salisbury, Mass.) found the back of the net thanks to an assist from Jeremy Malliet (Leominster, Mass.) at 14:19. 

Salem State had a power play opportunity when Michael Macchioni (North Kingstown, RI) went to the box for tripping. The Vikings did not capitalize on the power play, and Fitchburg's Nickolas Millhorn attempted to extend the Falcons' lead, but Aaron Mercer made a nice save to keep the score 1-0. 

The Vikings' Erik Larsson went to the penalty box for tripping at 18:49. Luke Day was on a breakaway in the final minutes of the period looking to tie the game, but he was denied by Maccchioni. At the end of the first period, Aaron Mercer (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) saved 11 of 12 shots, while Max Maccchioni saved all 12 shots. Salem State was 0 for 1 on power play, while Fitchburg was 0 for 2. Salem State won 10 faceoffs, while Fitchburg won nine in the first period.   

Fitchburg was on the power play for the first 47 seconds to start the second period. Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas) almost scored one that was deflected off the Falcons' goaltender and hit the crossbar. Fitchburg capitalized on the power play as Kristopher Zapata  (Wake Forest, NC) scored with an assist from Jackson Collins (Woke Forest, NC)  and Andrew Woloszyn (Windham, NH) . Salem State cut the deficit 36 seconds later when Landyn Greatorex (Reading, Mass.) was looking to score on a wrap-around, but Whitman managed to put one in the net, left side as he scored on an assist from Chris Dowd (DAnville, N.H.) and Carson James (Falmouth, Maine).    

In the final seconds of the second period, Carson Whitman (Boston, Mass.) tied the game at two with a power play goal as he scored on the left side of the net. At the end of the second period, Mercer saved 25 of 27 shots, while Macchioni saved 15 of 17 shots. Fitchburg won 24 faceoffs compared to Salem State's 21. Fitchburg was 0 for 6 on the power play, while the Vikings were 1 for 2. 

Heading into the last period, both teams were tied. The Vikings missed a golden opportunity when Dowd's shot was denied by Macchioni as he slid fullly extended to prevent Salem State from taking the lead. As the game progressed, Zapata managed to score his second goal of the game, giving Fitchburg a 3-2 lead with 13 minutes left. Mercer made some tough saves, but Fitchburg's attacking approach allowed them to add one more goal. The Vikings made it a one-goal game as Zack Dill (South Lake, Tahoe) scored on the left side of the net with an assist from Larsson and O'Donoghue. 

Salem State was on a two-on-one breakaway, looking to tie the game, but was denied by Falcons' goaltender Macchioni. Mercer picked up the loss, saving 33 of 37 shots. Fitchburg State was 0 for 6 on the powerplay, while Salem State was 1 for 2 throughout the game. Macchioni picked up the win, saving 25 of 28 shots. 

Salem State will be looking to bounce back on Saturday night when they travel to Framingham to face Framingham State for MASCAC action. Game time is at 7:40 p.m.