Women’s Soccer Upset by Salem State 2-1 in Quarterfinals of MASCAC Tournament

Framingham, Mass. – The fourth seed Framingham State University women's soccer team was defeated this afternoon 2-1 by fifth seed Salem State University in a quarterfinal match of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Women's Soccer Championships at Maple Street Field.

With the victory Salem State improves to 10-5-2 on the season and advances to the semifinals of the MASCAC Women's Soccer Championship.  The Vikings travel to top seed Westfield State University on Friday evening for a 7 p.m. contest.  Framingham State concludes their season at 7-10-1.

Framingham State jumped out to the early lead with a goal just 13:06 into the game.  Senior Sarah Carey (Fall River, Mass.) took a direct kick on the Rams defensive side of midfield and sent a long cross to junior Kayla Austin (Winchester, Mass.).  Austin make a quick move to allude a defender and sent a shot on net that curved into the top corner just inside the post for her team leading 10^th goal of the season.

The game remained 1-0 in favor of the Rams heading into halftime with Framingham outshooting Salem 6-3 in the first half.  The Rams had a chance late in the half with five minutes remaining to add an insurance goal, but junior Cara Murtagh's (Quincy, Mass.) shot from close range was stopped by a diving save from Viking goalkeeper Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, Mass.).

The Vikings controlled play in the second half outshooting the Rams 11-4 in the frame and they had a chance to tie the game less than a minute in.  Sophomore Amy Griffith (Middleton, Mass.) had a clear look at the net and fired a shot from 10 yards out, but FSU goalkeeper Jess Anthony (Stoneham, Mass.) was able to knock the ball out of bounds and preserve the lead for the hosts.  Griffith had another chance five minutes later after she beat a defender, but her shot hooked left and sailed wide of the net.

Salem State was finally able to breakthrough and tie the game in the 64^th minute.  Griffith had possession on the right side and sent a cross in front to junior Casey Connolly (Nahant, Mass.).  Connolly was wide open in front of the net and placed a shot into the far corner for her 8^th of the season.

The Vikings had an opportunity to break the deadlock with 16 minutes remaining in the game on a shot from sophomore CeCelia Cresta-Devine (Saugus, Mass.), but her bid hit the cross bar and the Rams were able to clear the loose ball.

Cresta-Devine put the Vikings on top for good with 5:53 left in the game.  Connolly sent a shot on net that Anthony was able to save but the rebound got away from her.  Cresta-Devine got to the loose ball first and tapped it into the back of the net for the game-winner.

The Rams only chance to retie the score came with under a minute remaining in the game when junior Mary Brinkmann (Bridgewater, Mass.) got a head on a cross, but her bid went wide.

Ledbetter recorded her 10^th victory of the season making five stops, while Anthony was tagged with the loss for the Rams and also made five saves.