First Half Goal Lifts Salem State Past Men's Soccer

SALEM, Mass. – Junior Lucas Amaral (Peabody, Mass.) scored the lone goal of the game and senior Christopher Jimenez (Nashua, N.H.) made eight saves as the Salem State University men's soccer team (2-2-0) defeated Wentworth Institute of Technology, 1-0.

THE BASICS:
Scoring:  SSU – Lucas Amaral (unassisted), 38:44
Shots (on goal):  WIT 9 (8); SSU 6 (4)
Saves:  WIT – Robbie West, 3; SSU – Christopher Jimenez, 8
Corner Kicks: WIT 3; SSU 5

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A defensively played first half yielded few scoring chances for both teams, however, it was a set piece by the Vikings which led to the only goal of the game. A foul on the Leopards set up a free kick at the top of the left side of the 18-yard box. Amaral sent the ball towards the net and found the upper right corner.
• Salem State had a 3-2 shot advantage in the opening frame.
• The Black & Gold mounted pressure in the second half, taking seven of their nine shots over the final 45:00. Sophomores Eddie Smith (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), TJ Prouty (Glendora, Calif.), and Kaleb Gebremeskel (Georgetown, Texas) each put shots on net in the final 17 minutes.
• Gebremeskel's bid nearly tied the game just over a minute remaining, however, Jimenez made a diving stop on a low shot to his right.

SERIES NOTES:

• Just the second all-time meeting between the two programs, the series is tied at 1-all. Both games have been one-goal contests.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth (1-2-1) hosts Bridgewater State on Saturday at Noon.

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