Men’s Soccer Shuts Out Salem, 2-0, to Win MASCAC Championship

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WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State juniors' Matias Otero (Rye Brook, N.Y.) and Ryan Denehy (Littleton, Mass.) scored first half goals as the Owls claimed the 2024 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship title with a 2-0 win over Salem State on Sunday afternoon from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.

After reaching the MASCAC Championship game last season, the Owls secured their first conference championship title since 2012 with the team's depth on full display as Otero and Denehy came off the bench for the Owls.

"We're excited about our depth," said Owls head coach Dr. Christopher Streeter. "There are 20-22 guys on this team that can contribute without any trouble at all and today was an example of that."

Otero checked into the match inside the 19^th minute and 12 minutes later put the Owls in front. Tim Tkacz (Suffield, Conn.) controlled the ball in the midfield where he would tap a pass to Ethan Margolis (Wakefield, Mass.) who dribbled towards the top of the penalty area. He directed a shot on net that was blocked down by a Vikings defender with the rebound finding Otero where he would fire a left-footed shot from the left edge of the box to the lower right corner of the net and past the diving Erik Berg (Hadley, Mass.) in net for the 1-0 lead.

With 5:50 left in the first half, Denehy subbed into the match as Westfield controlled play in the offensive end. Otero gained possession in a similar spot to where he scored the goal, this time drawing a corner kick attempt for Westfield.

Margolis took the corner, lofting the ball deep into the box, eventually finding Denehy who crashed towards the back post and headed home his first collegiate goal with the Owls as Denehy, whose played in 55 matches for the Owls, serves primarily as a defenseman but this time provided the Owls with an offensive spark. Denehy scored the goal 1:34 after checking into the game. Margolis assisted on both of Westfield's goals, adding to an already impressive postseason resume in his two seasons with Westfield.

"We've been on a roll and have been playing really well down the stretch," said Coach Streeter. "We were able to keep it going today against a very tough Salem team and a tough Fitchburg team in the semifinals. We're peaking at the right moment and as a coach that is all you can hope for."

The Owls started the game with four shots in the first 2:46 of play with the final attempt resulting in a shot off the crossbar from sophomore Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.).

In the second half, Westfield would nearly tally a third goal as Margolis rang the crossbar on a shot taken 3:49 into the final frame.

The Vikings generated several high danger scoring chances in the second half in an effort to get back into the match. The first coming off the foot of Alex Ixlaj-Tello (Lynn, Mass.) who uncorked a shot on net that was placed just wide of the net.

Westfield continued to hunt on the offensive despite the two-goal advantage, including four shots within a two-minute span with shots from Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) and Sonny Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.) saved by Berg.

Inside the 68^th minute, Salem nearly found the back of the net on a shot by first-year forward Nanderson Curtis (Manchester, Mass.) but his shot glanced past the right post and out of play.

Owls sophomore goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) denied a pair of scoring opportunities for the Vikings in the final ten minutes of the match, coming up with a save on Matheus Pelissari (Lowell, Mass.) in the 84^th minute then a final stop on Aaron O'Toole (Quincy, Mass.) with 2:04 left in the match.

Westfield started the game strong, holding a 13-5 shots advantage in the first half where they would finish the contest by outshooting the Vikings 23-14. Theroux (W, 8-4-4) slammed the door in the championship match with his fifth shutout of the season, recording six saves on a clean sheet. Berg (L, 3-5-2) made several outstanding stops in the second half to give the Vikings a chance at a comeback, concluding the game with eight saves.

Andrade, a senior captain for the Owls, was named the MASCAC Tournament MVP. Andrade has played a huge role in the Owls success this season and scored two goals in the conference semifinal win over Fitchburg which was the difference in what was a 4-2 Owls victory on Friday night. 

Westfield State men's soccer will await to see their NCAA destination as the 2024 men's soccer Division III Selection Show will reveal the 64-team field on Monday at 1:30 P.M. on NCAA.com. Visit WestfieldStateOwls.com for more information regarding the upcoming NCAA men's soccer tournament. First round games will begin on Saturday, November 16.