Vikings Secure 2-1 Conference Victory Over Trailblazers

SALEM, Mass. – This afternoon Salem State women's soccer welcomed the Trailblazers of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) for their annual Think Pink game. After an impressive showing from freshman Madison Ryan (Burlington, Mass.) the Vikings took the 2-1 MASCAC victory over the Trailblazers to improve to 3-12 overall and 2-4 in conference play.

For Salem State, Madison Ryan (Burlington, Mass.) scored her first career goal as a Viking in her two-goal performance this afternoon.

A majority of the opening 15 minutes was played in the middle of the field with neither team being able to break through and apply pressure on the opposing defense. Soon after, MCLA had the first chance at getting on the scoreboard after a Trailblazer fired a shot on net, only to have it saved by Viking's goalkeeper Lily Pfefferle (St. Paul, Minn.). Midway through the half, Pfefferle's counterpart, Jillian Currier (Troy, N.Y.), saved four Vikings' shots of her own to keep the game at a 0-0 stalemate.

With just over ten minutes to play in the half the stalemate was broken up when Ryan was able to sneak one past Currier to score the first goal of the game and give the Vikings the 1-0 advantage. Ryan added to her team's lead with 30 seconds to play as she scored her second goal of the half and carried the Vikings into halftime with the 2-0 tilt.

Although Salem State was unable to add on to their lead after a few shots on goal and corner kick attempts, they were able to keep MCLA out of the Viking's defensive half, barring any Trailblazer from getting a shot off.

The Trailblazers eventually cracked through the Viking defense with ten minutes left in the game, but neither of their two shot attempts got past Pfefferle. The Trailblazers made a final push with under five minutes to go when Anna Lewis (North Monmouth, Maine) scored to bring her team within one. But the comeback would be too little too late as the Vikings took the eventual 2-1 victory.

Pfefferle turned away three of MCLA's shots on goal meanwhile, on the opposite side, Currier, made nine saves in the loss for the Trailblazers.