Prince's Two Goals Lift Vikings Past Pilgrims

SALEM, Mass. – Kendy Prince (Medford, Mass.) scored twice to lead Salem State past New England College 3-2 at Alumni Field on Wednesday evening. The Vikings have now won three straight and move to 8-5 on the year. The Pilgrims go to 5-5-1.

Salem State jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as Prince and Aaron O'Toole (Quincy, Mass.) scored back-to-back goals just 31 seconds apart.

Kendy netted the first goal just 5:17 int the contest, beating keeper Robbie Ferguson (Hopkinton, N.H.) with a shot just outside the goal box. Moments, later O'Toole broke free along the left sideline and tucked a shot just inside the right post for a 2-0 Vikings' lead.   

Tucker Stenger (Enfield, N.H.) put New England College on the scoreboard as he converted a turnover deep in the Vikings' end, sneaking a shot just inside the left post that made the score 2-1 in the 24^th minute.  

Shots were even at 10- apiece with the Vikings taking the only corner of the half.

Leith Khan (Shrewsbury, Mass.) replaced starter Adal Barragan (Orlando, Fla.) in goal for the Vikings at the beginning of the second half. Prince added his MASCAC-leading 14^th goal in the 52^nd minute, giving Salem State much needed insurance. Cam Downer (Dracut, Mass.) nearly gave the Vikings a two-goal lead with 18 minutes left to play, but Ferguson came out and snared Downer's point-blank shot, keeping the Pilgrims within a goal.

Connor Manteau (Pembroke, N.H.) cut the lead to 3-2 when he headed in a corner from Julian Duarte (Bogota, Columbia) in the 75^th minute. The Pilgrims outshot Salem State 12-6 in the half, but the Vikings' defense held firm, holding New England College without a goal the rest of the way to earn the 3-2 victory.

Barragan earned his first win in goal, making six saves while Khan stopped six shots in relief. Ferguson had seven saves for the Pilgrims.