Men’s Soccer – MASCAC Semifinals
#3 Salem State Advances Past #2 Worcester State, 2-1
Worcester, MA- Salem State’s Yuta Kizaki (Karatsu-shi, Japan) knocked in a beautiful shot from 25 yards out with just 48 seconds remaining in regulation to advance the second seeded Vikings to the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference finals with a, 2-1, victory over the host Worcester State College Lancers Wednesday evening at Coughlin Field. The loss for Worcester State drops them to 10-7-2 on the year while Salem State improves to 12-6-1.
Salem State opened the scoring in the 8th minute when senior Alexander Kakambouras (Melrose, MA) buried a 15 yard shot from the left side on a pass from freshman Josh DaSilva (Lowell, MA) to give the visitors a, 1-0, lead.
Worcester State had a chance to tie the game in the 65th minute when Lancer co-captain Matt Brothers (Auburn, MA) had a penalty kick saved by Salem State goaltender Pawel Brzykcy (Krakow, Poland). Brothers got the goal back, however, just over a minute later when he lobbed a ball over the outstretched hands of the Salem State keeper to knot the game at, 1-1.
The game appeared to be heading towards an extra session before Kizaki’s heroics in the final minute.
On the night, Worcester State out shot the visitors, 27-19.
Worcester State goalkeeper Daniel Hansen (Worcester, MA) and Brzykcy each made 10 saves on the night.
Worcester State now awaits word on a possible ECAC postseason tournament bid, while Salem State will host the finals against Bridgewater State on Saturday at 1:00pm.
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