Owls Overpower Vikings in Conference Action

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. – Tonight, Salem State women's lacrosse welcomed Westfield State University to Alumni Field for a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) contest. Arianna Andresen (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) scored four goals while dishing out three assists to lead the Owls to the 18-4 victory over the Vikings. The Owls boosted their record to 8-5, 3-0 while the Vikings dropped to 2-9, 0-3.

How It Happened

• The Owls struck first when only three minutes and 23 seconds into the game Natalie DeMaio (Westwood, Mass.)   scored a goal on the left side, thanks to a well-executed assist from Jessica Connors (Scarborough, Maine). However, the Vikings were quick to respond when 21 seconds later, Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) made an impressive move, passing by her defender to find the back of the net and tie the game at one.
• With just over four minutes to play in the opening frame, DeMaio notched her second goal of the game before the Owls closed the quarter scoring three goals in just as many minutes to take the 5-1 lead going into the second.
• Kenzie Currey (Bell Air. Md.) made it a three-goal game when she weaved through three Owls' defenders to find the back of the net with just under eight minutes to go in the half.  The Owls would add two more goals to their tally, including one in the final five seconds, to take the 7-2 advantage heading into the break.
• The Owls built on their lead in the third before Currey and Jenna Wells (Revere, Mass.) gave the Vikings some momentum with back-to-back goals, making it a 10-4 game at the 9:48 mark. Despite their efforts, Salem State struggled to keep up with Westfield State who added two more goals before the period was over, leaving the Vikings trailing by eight-goals (12-4) to head into the final 15 minutes of action.
• Westfield State scored six different times in the last period with Samantha Dyer (Dover, Mass.) scoring twice to seal the 18-4 Owl's victory.

Noteworthy

• Wells' goal tonight marked her 16th of the season, which is enough for a team best.
• The Owls saw 11 players find the back of the net in their victory tonight.
• Tonight, Salem State women's lacrosse hosted its 'Mental Health Matters' game as part of Salem State Athletics' Sam Cioffi Student Athlete Wellness Programming.

Salem State will travel to Bridgewater State for a MASCAC matchup this upcoming Wednesday, April 17. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.