Men’s Soccer Outlast Salem, Secure First-Round Bye in MASCAC Tournament

SALEM, Mass.- Westfield State senior Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal at the 73:04 mark and Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) piled up a career-high 16 saves to power the Owls to a 2-1 win over Salem State on Saturday afternoon on the road.

The game had serious playoff implications on the line as the Owls leap-frog the Vikings in the postseason playoff picture, securing the number two overall seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming MASCAC Tournament. The Owls ended their regular season with a record of 7-7-1, 5-2. The Vikings completed their campaign with a record of 11-4-3, 5-2.

Westfield started the game strong, scoring the first goal less than three minutes into the game. Paul Whalley (Southwick, Mass.) scored on a breakaway, assisted by Carter Hebert (Easthampton, Mass.). Despite the early deficit, Salem State remained competitive and aggressive, with Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, Mass.) setting up Zuelta for a shot that went wide. Waleddine Hounnane (Salem, N.H.) also took an attempt from about forty yards out, but Theroux made a brilliant save keeping the scoring at bay.  

Late in the first half, Salem State tried to tie the game with a free kick from Senra that Xavier headed wide. In the final two minutes of the period, Jair Alvarez (Lynn, Mass.) took a shot that was blocked by Jacoby Authier (South Headly, Mass.). 

Salem State headed into the second half down 1-0, but they remained determined to get even against Westfield. The Vikings started out the half being aggressive and attacking the Owls' zone, with Xavier taking a shot 50 minutes into the match that Theroux saved. A few seconds later, Jesse Njamnshi (Fitchburg, Mass.) took an attempt from about 42 yards out that hit the left side of the post. Xavier was close to scoring 54 minutes into the game with a free kick that just missed by inches.  

Salem State managed to tie the game at one when Xavier scored on a brilliant pass from Kyle Lobao (Peabody, Mass) 68 minutes into the game. However, Andrade scored a goal that put Westfield ahead 2-1. Late in the game, O'Toole had a shot from about 20 feet out, but Theroux kept the Vikings scoring at bay. Salem State had several chances late in the period to tie the game, but they were unable to capitalize. 

Hauntsman saved seven of nine shots while Theroux saved 16 of 17 shots. Salem State had six corners compared to Westfield's one, while Westfield had 10 fouls compared to Salem State's seven. The Vikings had four yellow cards and two red cards, while the Owls had three yellow cards and no red cards. 

Westfield State will host a MASCAC Semifinal game on Friday, November 3 from Alumni Field with the opponent and time of the match still to be determined.