Posted: Aug 23, 2022

Vikings Picked Fourth in MASCAC Pre-Season Poll

SALEM, Mass. – The Salem State women's soccer team was selected fourth in the 2022 MASCAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll, released on Wednesday, August 24. The Vikings received (28) points, one more than fifth place Framingham State (27). Westfield State garnered seven first place votes in the poll. Bridgewater State was picked second, receiving one first place vote.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Vikings finished 4-12-1 and 3-4 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) last season. Seeded fifth in the conference post-season tournament, the Vikings lost in penalty kicks to fourth seed Framingham State after a scoreless tie in regulation.

This year, Salem State returns three prominent players from their 2021 team, including captains Madison Pesce (All-MASCAC First Team), Lyndsey Martins and Angela Berry. Pesce, the former league rookie of the year, is Salem State's lockdown defender. Often paired against the opposing team's top offensive player, Pesce will provide valuable skill and experience to the backline. Martins and Berry, who is returning after enduring an early season injury last year, will help solidify the forward and midfield positions as returning starters. Experienced seniors Jill Tramondozzi, who started every game in 2021, and should be an impact player in her third season and keeper Lily Pfefferle, who won all four games in net for Salem State will look to have a more prominent role in the Vikings chances for success this year.

Sophomore Jasmin Moran (All-MASCAC Second Team) will lead the offense for the Vikings this season, The team's top returning scorer (8g, 2a), the forward has the talent to be one of the league's best offensive players and has the potential to be a difference-maker for a team that struggled to score last season.

COACH'S TAKE

"After coming together during the second half of 2021 and a disappointing loss in the first round of the tournament on penalty-kicks, my expectation is to pick up where we left off and continue to compete for a shot to advance in the MASCAC post-season."

"We are going to lean heavily on the entire returning team from 2021 to help lead and establish a high standard of work rate and success. We also expect more consistent performances from last year's first year and sophomore classes, who gained valuable experience throughout the 2021 season."

2022 New Players to Watch

Jenna Mitza, Tyngsboro

Madi Ryan, Burlington

Kelsey Francis, Bishop Fenwick

McKenna Gilligan, Bishop Fenwick

Hudah Ngoynkulu, Mt. Everitt Regional High

Transfer - Rebecca Callahan Salem

SEASON OPENER

The Vikings will open the season at WPI on Thursday, September 1 at 8:00 PM.

2022 MASCAC Pre-Season Poll

Westfield St. 49 (7)

Bridgewater St. 41 (1)