Men’s Soccer Blanked by Salem, 4-0, in regular season finale

SALEM, Mass. --   Salem State completed their third unbeaten MASCAC regular season (20-0-1) over the past four years as the Vikings shutout Westfield State, 4-0 on "Senior Day" at Alumni Field in Salem, Mass. Salem State also did not allow a goal to a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opponent in 2021, running their regular season streak to nine games going back to the last season of competition in 2019. Salem State (11-6, 7-0) earned a bye in the upcoming MASCAC Tournament, claiming the top seed and a home semifinal match next Friday. The Owls end their season 4-12-1, 1-5-1.      

Salem State honored it mens' soccer senior class in a pre-game ceremony before the game. Following the win, the eight members: Arnold Orellana (Everett, Mass.), Sam Pham (Amherst, N.H.), Fabricio Torres (Lima, Peru), Damon Deocleciano (Lowell, Mass.), Patrick Filetti (Newburyport, Mass.), Joao DeSouza (Lowell, Mass.), Orlando Rodrigues (Burlington, Mass.) and Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.), have compiled a 24-1-3 conference record over the past four years.

Westfield State had the best scoring opportunity early in the first as Jake Silvestre (Seekonk, Mass.) caught keeper Matt Hauntsman (Milford, Mass.) out of position, but Patrick Filetti (Newburyport, Mass.) denied the opportunity with a defensive save.

A free kick helped setup Salem State's first goal as Aaron O'Toole (Quincy, Mass.) kept possession for the Vikings and laced a shot from 18 yards out for the game's first goal. Dylan Senra (Dartmouth, Mass) set up the Vikings' second goal in the 42nd minute finding Samuel Deossa (Watertown, Mass.) with a beautiful pass that was headed into the net by the freshman for his first goal of the year.  

Salem State held an 8-2 advantage in shots and a 2-0 margin in corners at the half.

Fabricio Torres (Lima, Peru) extended the lead to 3-0, tucking a shot into the upper left corner of the goal, just underneath the crossbar in the 64th minute. 

Nick Brown (Southwick, Mass.) nearly converted a free-kick for the Owls, but Haunstman made a diving stop, keeping the shutout in tact with just over 20 minutes left.  Kendy Prince (Medford, Mass.) found Cam Downer (Dracut, Mass.) breaking free and fed the freshman a perfect pass for his second assist as Downer beat keeper Griffin Brown (Southborough, Mass.) with Salem State's fourth goal in the 78th minute. 

Hauntsman made five saves in the win while Brown stopped nine shots for the Owls. Salem State finished with a 19-6 advantage in shots. 

The men's soccer MASCAC tournament will begin on Tuesday.