HANNAH ZANNINI
SALEM – Hannah Zannini’s (Amesbury, MA) first-half goal proved to be the game-winner as the Westfield Owls blanked the Salem State Vikings 2-0 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both schools. Westfield State enhances their record to 3-2 while Salem State falls to 0-6 on the season.
Both sides were evenly matched in the first 45 minutes of play, but the Owls edged the Vikings with six shots on goal to Salem State’s five. Westfield State finally got one to reach the back of the net in the 38th minute when Zannini received a Kenzie Saltmarsh (Westfield, MA) pass at the top of the box and beat Vikings’ goalie Amanda Backe (Danvers, MA) high right side. Salem State had a chance to answer in the 40th minute when Caitlin MacGregor (Hampden, MA) chased down a loose ball behind the Owls’ defense but she was met by Westfield State goalie Natalia Falcone (Sutton, MA) who beat her to the ball. The Owls took a 1-0 lead heading into the second half.
Westfield State’s offense continued to control the pace of the game by possessing the ball for the majority of the half. This allowed the Owls to keep the ball out of their zone to try and add to their 1-0 lead. In the 60th minute Kate Matroni (Hampden, MA) and Bella Eduardo (Springfield, MA) connected for a score to add an insurance goal on their lead. Eduardo hit Matroni with a through pass that allowed Matroni to use her speed to outrun the Vikings’ defenders to get off a clean shot that beat Backe on the left side of the net.
Falcone made five saves for Westfield State while Backe stopped six Owl shots, allowing both goals.
Salem State will hit the field again on September 20th when they host MIT at 4:00 p.m. Westfield State will host Simmons College on September 21st at 7:00 p.m. – Story courtesy Salem Statre sports info
