Gulls Blanked by Salem State in Opening Game
September 3, 2011
Salem, MA – The Endicott Gulls played a tightly contested match at Salem State on Saturday, but fell victim to a second half goal to drop a 1-0 decision. Raphael Santos (East Boston, Mass.) netted for the Vikings at Alumni Field, as the hosts improved to 2-0 on the season, while Endicott drops to 0-1.
The Vikings controlled play for most of the first half, limiting Endicott to just three shots for the period while firing off 12 shots of their own. However, both teams failed to connect leaving the game scoreless at the half. Salem State missed an opportunity to score late in the first after Gulls goalie Alex Jorge (Billerica, MA) was caught out of position, but two straight shots on goal were deflected by an Endicott player.
The Vikings controlled play for most of the first half, limiting Endicott to just three shots for the period while firing off 12 shots of their own. However, both teams failed to connect leaving the game scoreless at the half. Salem State missed an opportunity to score late in the first after Gulls goalie Alex Jorge (Billerica, MA) was caught out of position, but two straight shots on goal were deflected by an Endicott player.
Santos finally broke the tie in the second half when his shot landed in the left corner just inside the box from 30 yards out at the 65:58mark. Chris Goulet (Lowell, MA) picked up an assist on the play and the Vikings' defense clamped down the rest of the way to preserve the one-goal victory.
It was the second straight game that Santos had scored the game-winner for Salem State, who has opened their season with consecutive shutout victories.
Endicott had an opportunity to tie the game with 8:50 remaining after Vikings' goalie Nondas Kargakis (Herkalion, Greece) fell down, but Robbie DiTommaso's (Farmington, CT) shot was stopped by Santos at the goal line.
The Vikings finished the game with an 18-8 advantage in shots, and held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Jorge gave up just the lone goal and stopped 11 shots, but suffered the defeat for the Gulls (0-1).
Kargakis picked up his first career win after replacing starting keeper Scott Hall (Waltham, MA) at halftime. Kargakis and Hall were each credited with two saves in the game.
Salem State is back in action tomorrow at Alumni Field when they host Thomas College at 2:00 PM. Endicott will play Bridgewater State on Monday at 2:00 PM.