Salem State Loses to Worcester State 5-2

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications 

SALEM, Mass. --  Mikey Wilson (Alexandria, VA.) scored twice and added two assists to give Worcester State a 5-2 triumph in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action over Salem State on Thursday night at Rockett Arena. The Lancers increase their record to 7-17, 6-14 while the Vikings dropped to 6-17-1, 6-13-1.

In the opening minutes of the game, both the Lancers and the Vikings fought to gain control. It was the Lancers who managed to seize an early lead, thanks to Brigham Neuhold's (Edmond, Okla.) pass to Wilson, which enabled Wilson to get behind the derense and score, beating Hunter Thomas (Schwenksville, Pa.) at the 4:50 mark. Shane Prifrel  (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.) of the Lancers managed to score a power play, at the 7:28 mark to increase the lead to 2-0, with Wilson credited with the assist.

Despite the setback, Salem State managed to get back in the game when Zach Dill (Lake Tahoe, Calif.) scored off a rebound off Jakub Kubik's (Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic) pad. Keagan O'Donoghue (Frisco, Texas) and Erik Larsson (South Lake Tahoe, Calif) were credited with the assists at the 10:16 mark. As the period progressed, Salem State continued to put pressure on the Worcester State zone in an attempt to even up the score. However, despite coming close on several occasions, they were unable to find the back of the net.

As the first period drew to a close, Salem State found themselves trailing by a goal.

As the game progressed, Dill managed to score and tie the game at the 5:02 mark, slamming the puck home for his second of the game. Larsson and O'Donoghue were credited with the assists. However, the Vikings' one-goal lead was short-lived, as Christian Phineny (Draper, Utah) beat Thomas just 41 seconds later.

Worcester State then capitalized on a missed opportunity by the Vikings and made it a two-goal game when Neuhold shot the puck, hitting Thomas' left padding. Thomas was on the right side, and  Wilson took advantage of the open left side, scoring a goal at the 11:59 mark with Brigham Neuhold (Edmond, Okla.)  Anders Grongstad (Royal Oak, Michigan) credited with the assists.  

After the first two periods, Kubik had saved 28 out of 30 shots, while Thomas had saved 22 out of 26 shots..

Right at the start of the third period, Worcester State wasted no time and scored as Wilson netted his second goal of the game, extending the lead to 5-2. 

Worcester State appeared to have scored its sixth goal of the game, but goal was waved off. Salem State called a timeout as they were going on a five on four power play. They decided to pull the goalie, creating a six on four opportunity. Despite the two-man advantage, Salem State couldn't cash in.

Both teams were feisty late in the period leading to multiple game misconducts. Unfortunately, two Vikings' players were ejected, as well as one player from the Lancers.

Thomas finished the game saving 33 of 38 shots, while Kubik stopped 41 of 43 shots. 

Salem State will be looking to bounce back on "Senior Day" as they take on Plymouth State for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) match in the final game of the regular season on February 17. Puck drops at 2 p.m.