Salem State Upends Men's Soccer, 2-1, in Overtime Thriller

Worcester, MA --- Salem State junior Eryk Fernandez (Nipomo, CA) scored off a corner kick in the 98th minute to help the Vikings edge Worcester State 2-1 in MASCAC men's soccer action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

The game started as a very physical back and forth defensive effort as neither side was able to generate good scoring chances.

However, Salem State (8-5-1, 5-0 MASCAC) was able to get on the board just before the half.

Fernandez unleashed a laser that ricocheted off the cross bar and freshman Brandon Alicea (Ashburnham, MA) corralled the rebound and chipped it into the back of the net recording the first goal of his career and securing the 1-0 halftime lead.

SSU went into the intermission with the 10-7 lead in shots, as WSU held the slight edge in corner kicks, 2-1.

In a game that saw 34 total fouls and five yellow cards, each team was awarded a second half penalty kick.

The Vikings had an early chance to extend their lead when senior Carlos Escobar (Malden, MA) was awarded the PK at the 60:23 mark of the contest, but his attempt sailed high and over the crossbar keeping it a one goal affair.

Worcester State (1-9-2, 0-3-2 MASCAC) was able to cash in on their opportunity from 15-yards out as junior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, CT) fired a rocket into the upper right hand corner with 13:17 remaining in regulation time.

The remainder of the second stanza was fast paced in a back and forth defensive battle while neither team managed to pull away.

In the overtime period it was Escobar who set the stage providing a beautiful cross off a corner kick and Fernandez leapt into the air and headed the ball past WSU freshman net-minder Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) for the golden goal to end the match.

Zucco ended the game with eight saves in the losing effort. SSU senior Scott Hall (Waltham, MA) added three stops for the Vikings.

Salem State finished the contest by doubling up the Lancers in shots, 28-14 – including the 5-1 edge in overtime – and both teams finished the game with five corner kicks apiece.

Worcester State will travel to UMass Dartmouth for a Tuesday night affair with kickoff scheduled for 7 PM, while Salem State heads to Mass Maritime for a high noon contest next Saturday.

Story by John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant