The Fitchburg State women’s soccer team secured a 1-0 victory over Salem State University on the evening of November 6, 2024 over at Elliot Field. This was a very hard fought match between both schools executing great high intensity playoff soccer in the quarter finals.
Both teams came out the tip off very focused and aggressive with both squads looking to score and take the lead. Great pressure on the defensive end was displayed on the field by both squads denying a goal from being scored.
Ladies on both teams presented a top tier performance in the first half displaying high intensity on the defensive side of the ball for an entire half. Closing out the first half at 0-0 leaving the entire fanbase at Elliot Field on the edge of their seats.
The Salem State Vikings outshot the Fitchburg State Falcons 12 to 9 in the first half. Sophomore goalkeeper for the Falcons Cassandra Pendleton had an outstanding six saves, while Salem State’s sophomore goalkeeper Ava Guyer stopped two shots on goal to keep the first half scoreless.
The second half kicked off with the same high intensity as it started from the first second of the game with both teams eager to move on to semi-finals. The defensive tone did not drop down at all, with both squads fighting until the end.
The Falcons kept their foot on the gas the entire time not letting up and fighting on each and every play. In the 72nd minute, Sophomore midfielder Stella Liebler took a shot from the right side of the box, which deflected off of Guyer, leading to a rebound opportunity. Sophomore forward Della Fitzgerald gathered the rebound, and slotted in her first goal of the season putting the Falcons up 1-0.
The Salem State Vikings pushed for an equalizer throughout the time left in the match to keep their season alive. The Vikings kept possession of the ball firing multiple shots at goal which included shots from Freshman defender Anna Frost and Senior defender Brenna Paquette. However, the Falcons stayed dialed resulting in Pendleton denying all of those shots attempted.
Several shots were taken throughout this very high pressure match with the Vikings attempting 22 shots with 8 shots on goal. On the other hand the Falcons took a total of 15 shots with 7 shots on target. Salem State recorded a total of 6 saves while Fitchburg State tallied on 8 saves throughout the match, a key reason to the victory. The Vikings put together a total of 5 corner kicks while the Falcons only took a total of 3 corner kicks.
The Fitchburg State Falcons will advance to the MASCAC semifinals against the number one seed Bridgewater State on November 8th 2024 7pm.
