Salem State Shuts Out Fitchburg State, 5-0

Hanratty stops eight shots in Falcons first MASCAC loss of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 17, 2011) – Senior Rafael Santos (East Boston, Mass./Boston Latin) and classmate Owen Quane (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth) combined for eight points this afternoon as the Salem State Vikings downed Fitchburg State University, 5-0 at Elliot Field.

With the victory, Salem State improves to 4-2-0 on the season (1-0-0 MASCAC), while Fitchburg State falls to 0-6-0 (0-1-0 MASCAC).

Santos scored the only goal the Vikings would need early in the first period as the senior captain connected for back-to-back scores throughout the frame. Santos put Salem State on the board just five minutes into the contest when he converted a feed from Quane for his fourth goal of the season. Santos followed up his score late in the first half, giving the Vikings a 2-0 edge at halftime with an unassisted tally at 43:47.

In the second half, Salem State's offense did not slow down, scoring three more time for its first league victory of the year. Junior Luiz DaCunha (Revere, Mass./Revere) and classmate Maxime Mondestin (Salem, Mass./Salem) notched goals to open and close the period, while Quane added to his point total with his first goal of the season in the 51st minute.

The Vikings controlled all offensive categories, taking a 22-15 margin in shots and 6-1 advantage in corners kicks. Freshman Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, Mass./East Bridgewater) collected eight saves in the complete game effort for the Falcons, while junior Scott Hall (Waltham, Mass./Waltham) finished with three stops for the Vikings.

Fitchburg State (0-6-0, 0-1-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Salem State University at 12 p.m. Salem State (4-2-0, 1-0-0 MASCAC) will host UMass Boston on Wednesday at 7 p.m.