The Worcester State Men's Soccer team traveled to Salem on Saturday afternoon to face off against Salem State in a MASCAC match between the current top two teams.

It was a fight from the very beginning between the two. Worcester State was able to put up the first goal of the game in the 10th minute when sophomore Mal Hawkins (Los Angeles, CA) scored his first goal of the season, serviced by junior Manny Ramirez (waltham, MA). Three minutes later Lancer junior Ethan Escobar (Paxton, MA) scored again off of another ball from Ramirez. In the 16th minute, the Vikings were able to break down the Lancer defense to put the score to 2-1. Jair Alvarez assisted the goal by Brendan Davis. The Lancers almost made it out of the half with a lead, but the Vikings capitalized on a corner when Dylan Senra sent the ball to Patrick Filetti who scored with 2 minutes to go.

Salem State kept up the momentum of the game when Walaeddine Hounane scored off of service from Eric Leuchner. The Lancers were not ready to give up yet though, and two minutes later Salem fouled in the box to give up a penalty kick. Junior Luke-Mark Anu (Salem, MA) stayed composed under pressure and scored to tie the game in front of a hometown crowd. The score would remain the same for the rest of the half. Lancer keeper junior Andy Ramirez (Waltham, MA) had a solid game in net which kept the Lancers in the match. Salem outshot Worcester 21-7, but Ramirez saved 12 shots in total. 

Worcester State now sits at 6-2-5, 3-0-2 in the MASCAC and are in action next at MIT under the lights.