Westfield players prepare to block a free kick during their key conference game vs. Salem State. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – In a battle of conference unbeatens, Salem State University used two first half goals to hold off the Westfield State Owls, 2-0 to gain sole possession of first place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference on Saturday.
The Vikings, who have won four straight, received goals from Saimir Zepaj (Peabody, MA) and Eryk Fernandez (Nipomo, CA) to improve to 4-0 in the MASCAC and 7-5-1 overall. Westfield State slipped to 3-1 in conference and 4-6-1 on the year.
Zepaj opened the scoring for Salem State when he netted a goal from 32 yards out in the 20th minute for a 1-0 lead. The Vikings held a one-goal lead until Fernandez scored his league-leading 10th goal of the season in the 43rd minute that gave the visitors all of the momentum heading into halftime.
In a tightly played contest that saw 26 total fouls, both teams found scoring chances limited in the second half. Vikings’ net-minder Scott Hall (Waltham, MA) made three key saves to keep the Owls off the board. Westfield State starting keeper Joe Pinto (Fairhaven, MA) was pulled at halftime after making one stop in the first period. Kris Carrington (Agawam, MA) kept Salem State off the scoreboard in the second half while making one save in net.
Salem State held an 11-7 edge in shots for the game and a 4-2 advantage in corners over the Owls, who have dropped back-to-back games.
Westfield State is back in action on Wednesday when they host Springfield College at 7:00 PM. The Vikings are on the road next when they face Worcester State at 3:00 PM next Saturday.
