Fitchburg State Soars Past Salem State, 6-2

Gimenez nets second hat trick of the season to lead Falcons over Vikings

SALEM, Mass. – Senior forward Julia Gimenez tallied four goals as the Falcons of Fitchburg State University cruised past the Vikings of Salem State, 6-2 on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field in Little East Conference (LEC ) field hockey action.

With the win, the Falcons improve to 8-8 on the season while upping their conference record to 3-7, while Salem State sinks to 3-12 on the year while dropping to 1-9 in the LEC.
 
Salem State honored its four graduating seniors, Kelsey Russell, Micaela Keogh, Taylor Nawn and Angela Montano before the game for their commitment to the Salem State field hockey program over the past four years.
 
The Falcons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as newcomer Molly Richard put a shot on net that was deflected in by Gimenez less than six minutes into the game.

However, Salem State answered immediately when Montano wristed a shot on net that snuck into the back of the cage to tie the game at 1-1.

Gimenez put the Green and Gold back in front in the 22nd minute of action as she connected on her second score of the contest on a one-timer from Richard on a two-on-one breakaway attempt to make the score 2-1 going into the break.
 
Following intermission, Gimenez continued her goal scoring in the second half as she netted her third goal of the contest, while junior midfielder Madeline Hoffman notched her eighth goal of the season that helped Fitchburg State build a comfortable 4-1 lead in the opening minutes of the second frame.

Salem State had a great scoring chance when Russell wound up for a slap shot from just in front of the Falcons' net, but she was stopped by Falcon goaltender Brittany Linane.

Minutes later the Falcons added some insurance as sophomore forward Casey Noonan beat Vikings keeper Carolyn Woodin short side off an assist from Hoffman to bring the lead to 5-1 before sophomore Kerra Anastasia capped the scoring for the visitors with a slap shot from the right side of the crease for her first collegiate tally for the 6-1 advantage.

Salem State cut the deficit to 6-2 with just over two minutes remaining as Montano collected her second goal of the game in conclude the scoring.
 
Fitchburg State dominated shots on goals, outshooting Salem State by a 19-8 margin, while also holding a 7-4 advantage in penalty corners. In the cage, Linane finished with two saves in the win for the Falcons, while Woodin stopped 10 shots for the Vikings in the complete game effort.
 
Salem State's season continues on October 27th when they travel to Springfield College to take on the Pride at 6:00 p.m., while the Falcons host Roger Williams University at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday evening.   

Portions of release courtesy of Salem State SID office

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