BOSTON, Mass. – Sophomore Nathan Gosselin (Hudson, N.H.) and junior Griffin Price (Allendale, N.J.) each tallied first-half goals and junior Philip Chomicki (Dorchester, Mass.) made 12 saves, including one with 33 seconds left to keep it a one-goal game as the Wentworth Institute of Technology men's soccer team picked up its second straight win with a 2-1 win over Salem State.
The Vikings, who had allowed just one goal in their first four games, controlled play in the early stages of the game, beginning with a pair of corner kicks in a 58-second span. However, Salem State was unable to capitalize on its scoring chances.
Wentworth took a 1-0 lead at the 5:59 mark when Gosselin took a pass from senior Noah Martins (Dartmouth, Mass.) and took a shot from the left side, which beat junior Christopher Jimenez (Nashua, N.H.). The Leopards continued to pressure the Vikings and junior Drew DeCoste (Somerset, Mass.) nearly put the hosts ahead 2-0 in the 10th minute, however, his shot hit the crossbar.
Salem State put a pair of shots on net, less than a minute apart, however Chomicki came up with a pair of saves to keep the Black & Gold on top. A minute and 15 seconds later, Martins picked up his second helper of the game when he fed Gosselin who tipped the ball to Price. Price sent a shot across the left side and into the back of the net, making it 2-0.
Both teams had chances throughout the remainder of the half, including when the Vikings put two more shots on net in the 41st and 42nd minutes. Chomicki came up with two saves giving his team a 2-0 lead at the break.
Salem State, which had 13 shots in the first half, had 13 more in the second half, including a pair from right in front which Chomicki denied. The Vikings ended the shutout with 1:10 remaining as junior Grace Dos Santos (Brockton, Mass.) scored while lying on the ground, tapping the ball past Chomicki.
The visitors had one last chance to tie the game, however sophomore Edwin Demoya's (Salem, Mass.) chance fell right into Chomicki's hands.
Eight of Chomicki's 12 saves came in the first half as he improved to 2-1-1 on the season. Jimenez made four saves in the loss. Salem State had a 26-17 shot advantage and a 9-6 edge in corner kicks.
Wentworth (3-1-1) is at UMass Boston on Thursday night. Salem State (4-1-0) hosts Bridgewater State on Saturday.
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