Box Score SALEM, Mass. – Freshman Paige McNickol (Marlboro, Mass.) scored a goal and added an assist as the Salem State University Vikings defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 3-1 in a Little East Conference field hockey game Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field in Salem, Mass.
The win is the fifth straight for the Vikings who improve to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the Little East. Southern Maine suffers its fifth consecutive loss to fall to 4-6 and 1-3 in the conference.
Salem State took control early in the game on an unassisted goal from junior Lauren Pazdziorny (Middleton, Mass./Masconomet Regional) in the eighth minute and never looked back en route to the win. McNickol assisted on the Salem's second goal of the first half as freshman Kathleen Clark (Southboro, Mass./Algonquin) found the back of the net in the 23rd minute for a 2-0 halftime lead.
McNickol tacked on the Vikings' insurance goal late in the second half for a 3-0 lead in the 63rd minute. Southern Maine junior Stephanie Lomasney (York, Maine) broke up the Vikings' bid for a shutout finishing an assist from sophomore Peyton Dostie (Standish, Maine/Bonny Eagle) as time drew to an end for the 3-1 final.
Salem State junior goalkeeper Michaela Boyer (South Hadley, Mass.) made five saves on six shots in the win. Southern Maine junior goalkeeper Kayla Kennedy (Windham, Maine) turned back seven shots in the loss.
Southern Maine returns to action at home on Saturday (2:30 p.m.) against Westfield State in a Little East Conference game. Salem State hosts LEC opponent UMass Dartmouth on Saturday (12:00 p.m.)
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