Lancers Drop Conference Battle To Vikings

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers (4-5-4, 2-3 MASCAC) kicked off a crucial conference matchup against the Salem State Vikings (9-3-3, 4-1 MASCAC) on a rainy Saturday afternoon.

This was the team's senior day as Noah Shaihkly (Whitinsville, RI), Zac Crawford (Lebanon, CT), Luke Anu (Salem, Mass.), Manny Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.), Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.), and Matt Alzamora (Holden, Mass) step onto John F. Coughlin Memorial Field for their last regular season home game as a senior Lancer.

FINAL:

Salem St.: 1

Lancers: 0

With massive playoff seeding implications for Worcester, this game was a defensive battle for the Lancers as they try to pick up their third conference win of the season. 

The first half was held scoreless as Salem ripped five shots in the half to Worcester's six chances.

Early in the second half, Vikings Vanilton Xavier found the back of the net off a ball from teammate Dylan Senra to break the scoreless tie and grab the vikings an early half lead that would put the Lancers on the attack for the remainder of the game.

The Lancers made a heroic attempt in the later minutes of the game as a header from sophomore defenseman Brendan Lower (Grafton, Mass.) with 2' left looked about to tie up the game, but was saved by Vikings goalkeeper Matt Hauntsman.

Manny Ramirez and Anu each had a chance to be the savior on senior day with a free kick in the final seconds that was unfortunately clocked up by the Viking defense, crushing the Lancer comeback attempt.

Andy Ramirez completed his senior day with four saves on five shots and some pivotal play breakups, along with Alzamora, Crawford and sophomore Taylor Gavaletz (Dudley, MA) in the back field.

With the loss, the Lancers record drops to (4-6-4, 2-4 MASCAC), as the Salem State Vikings improve to (10-3, 5-1 MASCAC).

The Lancers next game will be away at Keene State October 24th at 7 p.m. for the teams second to last game.