Torres Scores Second Half Game-Winner As Vikings Beat Owls 2-1

SALEM, Mass. - Fabricio Torres (Lima, Peru) netted a goal in the 73rd minute, helping the Salem State Vikings survive, 2-1 over the Westfield State Owls on Saturday at Alumni Field in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both schools. The Vikings improve to 4-3 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC. Westfield State drops to 1-4 on the year and 0-1 in conference.

Westfield State had the only strong scoring attempt in the first half when Salem State's Damon Deocleciano (Lowell, Mass.) picked up a foul in the box in the 12th minute. Nate Weaver (Westfield, Mass.) took the penalty with a low driving shot, but Christopher Jimenez (Nashua, N.H. made a splendid save to keep the game even at 0-0.  

The Owls held a slight advantage in shots (5-4) in a scoreless first half. 

In the 58th minute, Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.) took a corner for Salem State and Ryan Smith (Shelton, Conn.) outleaped a defender for the ball and his header gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead.

The Owls, however, answered when Weaver crossed a pass in the box and Alberto Burgos Jr. (South Hadley, Mass.) headed the ball near the post to even the score at 1-1 in the 65th minute.

Salem State quickly regained the advantage and went up 2-1 in the 73rd minute when Paa Sowe (Lynn, Mass.) slipped past the Westfield State goalie Tyler Diotalevi (Ludlow, Mass.). He found Torres in the middle, who connected for the go-ahead goal as the goalie was unable to regain position.  

The Vikings edged the Owls in shots and corners for the game (8-7).

Jimenez earned the win in net allowing one goal while saving four shots. Diotalevi took the loss conceding two goals and finishing with four saves.