Salem State Holds Off Fitchburg State 3-1

SALEM, Mass. – Allie Vaillancourt (Boxford, Mass.) scored a goal and added an assist as Salem State earned their second win of the year with a 3-1 victory over Fitchburg State in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) match on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Vikings go to 2-8 and 2-1 in the MASCAC while the Falcons remain winless at 0-10-1 and 0-3-1 in the league.

In a closely played first half, Salem State outshot Fitchburg State 8-3. However, neither team's offense could sustain any pressure as the game looked to remain tied 0-0 at the half.

A free kick set up Fitchburg State with a late goal in the first as Ashley Porter (Upton, Mass.) laced a shot past Lily Pfefferle (St. Paul, Minn.) from 20 yards out for the game's first goal in the 43^rd minute.

However, Vaillancourt gave the momentum right back to Salem State as she ripped a shot that deflected off the fingertips of keeper Abaigeal Gilman (Clinton, Mass.) and beneath the crossbar for a game-tying goal with less than five seconds remaining before halftime.

The Vikings' offense came alive with two quick goals to start the second. Micaela Peysere (Bridgewater, Mass.) knocked in a feed from Jasmine Moran (Falmouth, Mass.), giving Salem State a 2-1 advantage early in the second half before Lyndsey Martins (Medford, Mass.) put home a loose ball for a 3-1 Vikings' lead in the 54^th minute.

Pfefferle kept a two-goal lead for Salem State with a diving stop after Shannon McCarthy (Chicopee, Mass.) got behind the Vikings' defense for a clean look in the 67^th minute.

The Falcons continued to pressure Salem State as another free kick by Porter nearly led to another score, but the shot deflected off the crossbar and out of play. Salem State's defense held on to pitch a shutout over the final half, helping to secure the 3-1 win.

The Vikings held a 31-17 advantage in shots and led the Falcons in corners 6-3.

Pfefferle earned the win, making five saves. Fitchburg State's Gilman took the loss after being credited with 12 stops. Allison Gough (Wolcott, Conn.) finished in net for the Falcons and stopped three shots in just over 24 minutes of play.