GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore Nathan Russell (Beverly, Mass.) finished a cross from freshman Ryan Smith (Shelton, Conn.) in the 51st minute to start a three-goal second half as the Salem State University Vikings earned a 3-0 win over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference men's soccer game Tuesday afternoon at Hannaford Field. 

Snapping a three-game losing streak, Salem State improves to 4-8-3 on the season. Southern Maine drops to 1-12-3 with the loss.

 Russell finished the service Smith to score his second goal of the season and his first game-winner of 2016.  Ten minutes later, Salem State doubled its advantage when freshman Lance Francois (Everett, Mass.) was able to deflect a pass from a Huskies' defender for his third goal of the season.  Freshman Vageli Andrias (Peabody, Mass.) topped out the Vikings' scoring in the 88th minute on a feed from classmate Joshua Osawe (Lynn, Mass./Lynn English).

Salem State goalkeeper Gus Savage (Georgetown, Mass.) made four saves to earn the shutout for the Vikings.  Southern Maine sophomore Simon Hulbert (Bar Harbor, Maine/Mount Desert Island) made four saves in the loss.

Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (11:00 a.m.) when it hosts Western Connecticut State in a Little East Conference game.  Salem State hosts Fitchburg State on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) in a MASCAC contest.

–cac–