Defenses Dominate as Salem State Ties Gordon 0-0

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- The Salem State Vikings and the Gordon Fighting Scots ended in a 0-0 draw on Tuesday evening at Alumni Field. The Vikings record now stands at 5-2-2 while the Fighting Scots go to 3-0-4.  

Before the game, coach Correia emphasized his team's determination to hand Gordon their first loss of the season. "Just keep playing the way that we are playing and if come in and do that we will be fine."   

The game began with Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.), sprinting at full speed with Hudson Bennett from Jacksonville, Florida, trailing right behind, ready to clear the zone. 

Salem State was eager to take the lead, and Brendan Davis (Dracut, Mass.) attempted to set up Gabriel DaSilva (Woburn, Mass.) with a pass near the net, but DaSilva couldn't get there in time to deliver the Vikings a 1-0 lead. Later Brendan Walsh (Westford, Mass.) set up Xavier with a pass, which the junior put home, but the referee ruled the play offside with only 16 minutes remaining in the first half. 

After the game coach Correia expressed how both teams couldn't capitalize during the game. "I mean, I think nethier team took advantage of their chances and ultimately that's why we ended up 0-0." 

Salem State had three shots on goal, while the Fighting Scots had none at halftime. In the second half, 48 minutes into the game, Zach Hutt (Streetsboro, Ohio) aimed to give Gordon a 1-0 lead, but the ball missed the mark by mere inches, hitting the crossbar, as Hauntsman, the Vikings' goalie, jumped and extended his arm to make the save. 

The Fighting Scots continued to push forward, with Benji Wright (Franklin, Tenn.) passing the ball to Alex Diaz (Revere, Mass.), but Hauntsman made a tremendous save, preventing the Scots from scoring. 

After the game, Viking senior captain James Meli (Dracut, Mass.) spoke about Gordon taking advantage in the second half of the game. "We came out strong even though it was a non-conference game as we have to come out strong for every game. They might have taken advantage, but at the end of the day it ended 0-0."   

Henry McElroy (Danville, Pa.) got an opportunity to score in the 70th minute, shooting a 20-foot kick that Hauntsman dove to save in mid-air, keeping the game scoreless. As the game went on, Salem State had a chance to strike first in the 81st minute when Vanilton shot a free kick that narrowly missed the net by inches. 

Coach Correia talked about his team's overall performance. "I think we played well. I thought we improved and most importantly we stayed healthy, which is perfect for conference play coming up."  

The Vikings next game is on Friday night, where they will travel to face Mass Maritime on the road. Game Time at 7 p.m.