SALEM – Micaela Keogh (Reading, MA) and Lauren Pazdziorny (Middleton, MA) each notched a goal and goalie Michaela Boyer (South Hadley, MA) recorded a shutout as the Salem State field hockey team defeated Westfield State, 2-0, on “Senior Day” at Alumni Field.
The win pushes the Vikings record to 7-8, and 5-5 in the Little East while the Owls slip to 6-9, and 3-7 in conference.
In the first half, Westfield State controlled possession – holding a 6-1 advantage in corner attempts – and despite enjoying a 7-2 advantage in shots and countless scrums in front of the net, the Owls could not convert as Salem State’s defense held strong and kept the game tied 0-0 going into the break.
The second half was more of a back-and-forth affair, and an apparent Westfield score was waived off. The Salem attack finally came alive late in the period, and the Vikings broke the stalemate when Keogh scored her first goal of the year on a fast break in the 65th minute.
Pazdziorny later added her team-leading 12th goal when she ripped a shot off a corner past goalie Megan Fountaine (Scituate, MA) that secured the win.
Boyer stopped nine shots to even her record at 3-3 on the year, while Fountaine made six saves for the Owls.
Westfield State held a 14-12 advantage in shots, and a 12-8 edge in corners.
Salem State’s next game will be at Springfield College at 6:00 PM on Thursday. Westfield State will play at Mount Holyoke College on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.
