Vikings Use Three Second Half Goals To Put Away Spartans

SALEM, Mass. -- Brendan Davis (Dracut, Mass.) struck twice for two second half goals and Walaeddine Hounane (Salem, N.H.) notched two goals and added an assist to lead Salem State past Castleton 5-2 on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference match-up against the Spartans. The Vikings increase their record to 6-4-1 while Castleton slips to 3-5-2.

Hounane opened the scoring in the 7^th minute, heading in a ball on a assist from Steven Lopez (Revere, Mass.). Hounane added to the lead less than three minutes later with an unassisted goal at the 10:07 mark.

Castleton had a chance to cut into the deficit as Jacob Henderson (Rutland, Vt.) was awarded a penalty-kick, but his attempt went wide, clipping the post as the Vikings held their two-goal lead.

Adolphe Alfani (Colchester, Vt.) put the Spartans on the scoreboard just 57 seconds after halftime when he headed in a lead pass from Lucas McCane (Queensbury, N.Y.). Alfani then tied the game for Castleton in the 47^th minute, converting a pass from Gonzalaiz Arakaza (Burlington, Vt.).   

The game remained deadlocked despite Salem State owning a sizeable advantage in shots and corner kicks. Davis finally put Salem State back on top in the 62^nd minute, as he worked a Castleton defender off the ball to create space before striking a shot from 20 yards out that beat keeper Jonathan Maul (Westwood, N.J.).

Davis and Aaron O'Toole (Quincy, Mass.) added insurance goals in the 84^th and 88^th minutes as Salem State went on to win 5-2.

The Vikings finished with a 24-11 advantage in shots and a 13-0 margin in corner kicks.

Salem State's Jonathan Chasse (Haverhill, Mass.) did not allow a goal, and made three stops while playing the first half. Matt Hauntsman (Milford, N.H.) came into the game in the second half and was credited with the win while making three saves. Maul made 15 stops for the Spartans.