FOR PEABODY’S LUCAS AMARAL, HARD WORK AT SALEM STATE PAYS OFF WITH MASCAC TITLE

BY SAM MINTON| November 29, 2021

Itemlive.com

SALEM — Lucas Amaral and the Salem State Vikings men's soccer team weren't going to be satisfied with second place. After suffering defeat last season, Amaral said that it was "championship or bust" for the Vikings in 2021. After falling to Framingham State in last year's Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference MASCAC Finals, the group didn't want to come up short again.

The Vikings defeated Framingham State, 4-2, in the rematch two weeks ago to give Salem State the MASCAC trophy. Amaral registered an assist as he helped lead the Vikings to victory. Even though he expected to win, he was filled with emotion as the final whistle blew.

"I honestly broke down in tears," Amaral said. "After all the hard work and after losing, we knew how it felt to lose in the championship against this team so we knew we couldn't let that happen again."

Amaral credited his head coach, Matt Correia, for his ability to recruit and ensure that the Vikings can compete year in and year out. The Peabody native said he has learned a lot from the coach both on and off the field.

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