Mar. 28, 2007. Vol. 82 Iss. 13.
The Salem State Log
Make Room for the Champs, Vikings start season 3-1
As spring crawls closer by the day, Salem State’s defending Pioneer League B-Division champion men’s lacrosse team is preparing itself for what should be an exciting season. “Everyone should go out to the games!” exclaims freshman long-pole Mike Carpenito, who is one of 12 new players added to an already experienced Vikings team with a title defense as its number one priority.
Coached by Trevor Eaton; a three-term captain and team MVP as a player at Salem State College, the Vikings have been working very hard this winter. The PCLL coach of the year has had his men practicing whenever possible, whether it is at 6 a.m. in the O’Keefe gymnasium or in afternoon snowstorms out on Alumni Field. Eaton hopes his team’s recent success can earn the program the Division III status it held when he competed.
“We play a the same level as most D3 teams in our area,” coach Eaton said, “and the only real difference between us and them is that we pay our own bills while the varsity teams are sponsored by their schools.”
The team returns key players from their banner year. Sophomore Keith Hardy, last years team MVP and an All-Conference 2nd-team selection, will resume his play in the goal for the Vikings. Also back on the field are tri-captains Gavin Walsh, Ross Arnold and Dan Sullivan. Arnold was an All-Conference 1st-team selection at Attack last season and Sullivan earned 2nd-team honors while leading the Vikings in scoring from the same position.
“We’ve received great support from our fans, Salem State College and the athletic department this year,” said Walsh, a senior defenseman, “we hope that we will be able to defend out championship and bring another trophy back to Salem.”
To start the season off right, the Vikings took their game to Florida to show that they can compete nationally.
DAY 1- 3/9/07
On a chilly Friday afternoon, the Salem State men’s lacrosse team gathered at the O’Keefe Center parking lot excited and determined. Bags and players alike were loaded into coach buses (the team thanks Salem State for providing transportation) and were shuttled to Logan International Airport. The men passed the pre-flight time with I-Pods, P.S.P.’s and playbooks. While on JetBlue flight 447 to Tampa, the team researched their upcoming opponents; Eckerd College, University of Southern Florida and University of Tampa.
DAY 2- 3/10/07
At the Days Inn-Tampa, the team woke up to Continental breakfasts and clogged toilets, but spirits stayed high (it is still Florida…). A short afternoon practice at USF (thank you to University of Southern Florida for allowing the team to use their field) put the Vikings in a game state of mind. Salem State came out of the gates strong, scoring first in the ’07 season against #7 ranked Eckerd College (Alex Verity scored on a strong shot from the right side). Eckerd quickly moved out to an 8-1 first half lead, though, and Salem was unable to close the gap. A goal from Ross Arnold rounded out the scoring for the Vikings, who played to a 10-2 final score (thank you to Mike Carpenito’s father for excellent footage of the game).
DAY 4- 3/12/07
Under the blazing sun, the Vikings earned their first victory of the ’07 season against the Bulls of USF with an 11-10 double overtime game (thank you to all the friends and family that made the trip to Tampa to support the team in the heat!). Freshman Marc Duran recorded his first three goals in a SSC uniform. His hat trick led all Salem scorers. Captains Arnold and Sullivan each tallied one score. The first line of midfielders of Rob Basile, Sal Silva and Verity all scored for the Vikings, who also received important goals from second liners Paddy Boscoe and Nate Snow. Silva (the game-tying goal and 3 assists) and Verity (2 goals including the game winner in double overtime) played outstanding games. All three SSC goalies (Keith Hardy, Zac Champigny and Marc Berninger) saw time between the pipes in the contest, and all three proved to be equal to the task.
DAY 5- 3/13/07
An afternoon showing of “the 300” raised morale to a new high and prepared the Vikings for a showdown with the Spartans of U. Tampa. Much to the dismay of the team, though, U. Tampa failed to obtain referees (or line the field) for the game and had to forfeit upon Salem’s arrival at their campus. The Vikings held a small workout at that time but decided to head back to the hotel early to rest its sick and injured players.
DAY 6- 3/14/07
Last minute gift buying and lunch passed the time before the 2-1 Vikings boarded JetBlue flight 1242 back to Boston. Most were glad to be heading home, but none will forget the good times had by all on Viking’s Lax Spring Break ’07.
The Vikings moved to 3-1 on the season with a 12-6 victory over Framingham State College on a freezing cold Wednesday night. Alex Verity scored three times for Salem State, who also two goals from Ross Arnold and Dan Sullivan. Marc Duran, Torey Nicholson, Jeff Rolke and Simon Thompson-Mass also scored for the home team. Keith Hardy anchored the defense with 18 saves in net. Gavin Walsh provided a strong defensive presence while also recording an assist.
Women's Lax team springs into action.
After too many years, Salem State College has reorganized a Lady Vikings lacrosse team that will be coached by Jill McGinnity. “It’s a learning experience for everyone, we have veteran players and beginners,” said McGinnity, who is an alum of the program and also coach of the Salem State field hockey team. “The veterans have been extremely helpful and the beginners are eager to learn.”
Sophomore Aimee Doherty, who is also a member of the Viking field hockey team, is playing women’s lacrosse for the first time. “I decided to play lacrosse because I’ve never had the opportunity before,” said Doherty. “I am expecting us to improve greatly since there’s no where to go from the beginning but up.”
In the team’s first game, a scrimmage held at Alumni Field, “[the team] really stepped it up against a team of veteran players,” said McGinnity. Salem’s own veteran players produced the team’s scoring punch. Kasey Hanson led the way with six goals for the home team, while captains Tracey Gansenburg and Sherene Abu-Hijleh each found the back of the net once on the day.
Coach McGinnity lauded the play of goalie Christina Ferreira, who participated in her first game as a lacrosse goalie. Overall, the outlook for the Salem State women’s lacrosse program is positive. “I am so proud of all the hard work, time and effort they have put into the program,” McGinnity said.