Vikings Open Season With 3-1 Win Over Lasell

NEWTON, Mass. -- Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) netted two second half goals and Allison Couillard (Tewksbury, Mass.) added a goal and an assist as Salem State opened their 2021 campaign with a 3-1 win over Lasell at Grellier Field on Thursday. The Vikings now stand at 1-0 on the season while the Lasers go to 0-1.

Neither team scored in the first half despite Lasell holding a 9-3 advantage in shots, including an 8-1 margin in the first period. However, Salem State netminder Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass.) turned away all five shots on goal to keep the game scoreless heading into the half. 

The Vikings' offense came alive early in the third period as Couillard scored the first goal of the year in the 36th minute, giving Salem State a 1-0 lead. Mason followed with the Vikings' second unassisted goal just over three minutes later for a 2-0 lead.  

Sheridan Blaha (Waltham, Mass.) cut the deficit in half, connecting in the 43rd minute to draw Lasell within a goal. Salem State owned the period, as they outshot the home team 7-2 in the third.

The Vikings kept up the offensive pressure in the final period before Mason added her second goal of the game at the 57:30 mark to effectively put the game on ice with a two-goal lead. McCarthy pitched a shutout in the final quarter, finishing with eight saves altogether as Salem State defeated the Lasers, who last met in 2006, with the Vikings winning 1-0.      

Courtney Tello (Nashua, N.H.) started in goal for Lasell and did not make a save before being replaced by Sofia Rodriguez (Peabody, Mass.) after halftime. Rodriguez was credited with five saves.