Xavier Nets Two En Route to 3-0 Victory

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – Salem State men's soccer found themselves back in the win column this afternoon when they defeated the Rams from Framingham State University, 3-0, boosting them to 4-2-3 on the season and 1-0-1 in conference action.

How it Happened:

• Right from the whistle, the Vikings' offense applied pressure, and it paid off when Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.) headed in a cross from Matheus Pelissari (Lowell, Mass.), giving Salem a 1-0 lead just four minutes into the match.
• In the closing minutes of the opening stanza the Rams had an opportunity to equalize off a corner kick, but their header sailed over the net to leave the score at 1-0 in favor of the Vikings as the game went into the break.
• The Vikings extended their lead in the 57th minute when Pelissari's corner slipped past the Rams' keeper, allowing Charlie Goncalves (Pembroke, Mass.) to finish and make it 2-0 game.
• Xavier sealed the game with another goal in the 75th minute, converting a pass from Jonathon Diaz (Mehtuen, Mass.) to secure a 3-0 victory for the Vikings over the Rams.

Inside the Numbers:

• Vanilton Xavier recorded his first multi-goal game of the season while teammate, Charlie Goncalves notched his first collegiate goal in this afternoon's victory.  
• Matheus Pelissari has now had back-to-back games with at least one assist.
• With their 3-0 victory, the Vikings have now shutout the Rams in their last two meetings.

Up Next:

The Vikings will travel to Norton, Massachusetts on Wednesday, October 2^nd to take on the Lyons from Wheaton College for a non-conference bout at 4 p.m.