Sept. 18, 2007. Vol. LXXX No. 2.
The Salem State Log
Viking's Soccer comes out kicking
The Vikings Men's Soccer team, whose season started on August 21, have returned to school ready to defend thier MASCAC Championship of just a year ago. Coach Salvatore Lonero is positive that his tri-captains Alex Kakambouras (SR), Yuta Kizaki (JR), and Andrew Angus (Soph.) will "provide leadership and cohesion which will keep this talented group of oyung men focused on task." That task is to be a National Championship caliber team. Coach Lonero is also looking forward to the return redshirt freshman DJ Sousa, who suffered a season ending ACL injury after only 2 games last season.
Salem State has jumped out to a 2-1 record, winning thier first 2 games 4-0 and 1-0 respectively. In the season opener against Endicott College, Kizaki recorded the first three goals of the season before freshman forward Marcello Silva (Malden) put another name on the Viking's score sheet. Kizaki, who hails from Karatsu-Shi (Japan), is the reigning MASCAC player of the Year and MASCAC player of the week, the first of the season. The Vikings second game was a tighter contest but brought the same result, taking a victory over Plymouth State University on an Alex Kakambouras (Melrose) goal and the second straight shutout for junior goalkeeper Pawel Brzykcy (Krakow, Poland). Brzykcy made 12 saves total in the back to back shutouts. Just last week, the Vikings suffered thier first loss, falling 3-1 to the Babson College Beavers. Yuta Kizaki recorded the only SSC goal of the match, while Brzykcy finished with 5 saves.
"A personal goal of mine is to improve each player at season's end," said Coach Turi Lonero, "and for that player to say that he had a positive experience which will serve him well in life." The Viking's next home game is Monday Sept. 17 against the Fighting Scots of Gordon College, before traveling to UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday Sept. 19.
Football's Future at Salem State.
"What's Homecoming Weekend without a football game," is the question asked by Salem State College Trustee Howard Wayne as he spearheads the campaign to create a Viking's Football team. The process, which could involve the widening of Alumni Field, is in the early stages of planning. It will ultimately require a recommendation from then school's new president Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey, with advice from her staff and the Board of Trustees, to move forward. "I'm real passionate about the idea," said Trustee Wayne, "I feel football i sthe natural unifier for current students and our Alumni."
SSC and Friends Bowling League.
If you like having fun and meeting new people, then the Salem State College and Friends Bowling League at Sunnyside Bowling is just the place for you. Current students, as well as friends and spouses, are encouraged to join this Wednesday night league. Averages range from 55 to 115 and all skill levels are welcome to participate. Bowling starts at 6:30 sharp. The cost is $15 per week (not including shoe rental), which pays for bowling, a bowling shirt, the turkey raffle, a christmas party and also a banquet with cash and fun prizes. If you have any questions or concerns, contact Lisa R. Masella at lmasella@salemstate.edu.
Women's soccer having a tough start.
The Salem State women's soccer team has had an unlucky start to the 2007 season. The Lady Vikings are currently 0-3-1 after losing all 3 matches by no more than a single goal. Salem dropped its opener 1-0, followed by a 2-1 double overtime loss. Things seemed to be looking up for the Lady Vikes when they played to a scoreless draw against Colby-Sawyer on 9/13, but ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 overtime loss just 2 days later. The team's next home game is 9/27 against Southern Maine, after 3 games on the road.
SSC Field Hockey starts season 2-1.
The Lady Vikings field hockey team won thier season opener 3-2 over Plymouth State University. Senior defender Stephanie Currier scored just 1:07 into sudden death overtime. Salem State fell 1-0 to Salve Regina going into overtime in thier second straight game, but rebounded nicely to beat Westfield State College 2-0. Freshman goalkeeper Jessica Mckenna made 6 saves in her first collegiate shutout, putting her at twenty-five saves on only one goal allowed for the season and earning her Little East Conference Rookie of the Week honors. Senior Kelsey Brooks and Sophomore Grace Ghioto recorded the goals for the Lady Vikings. Salem is on the road this week for games against Becker College (9/18) and Fitchburg State College (9/22).