Gulls Blank Salem State for Opening Day Victory

Box Score

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott women's soccer team got goals in each half and a solid defensive performance to beat the Vikings of Salem State University 2-0 in their season opener at Endicott Stadium.

Senior Colleen Pepin (Fairhaven, Mass.) scored the first goal of the season for the Gulls in the fifteenth minute when she controlled a bouncing ball and slammed a shot right over the head of Salem State senior goalkeeper Leah Potcner (Wilmington, Mass.). The Endicott captain seems to have picked up right where she left off, after scoring 25 goals in last year's campaign.

Junior Christina Velluci (Saugus, Mass.) doubled Endicott's advantage in the 64^th minute. Classmate Vanessa Caruccio (Winthrop, Mass.) played a great ball from the right side and Velluci stepped into it from the top of the box, sliding it into the lower cornet of the net. Carrucio had a strong game for the Gulls, controlling the ball and making several runs into the Vikings' end.

The visitors from Salem managed only one shot in the game, a try that went wide by defender Kelsey Delaney (Wakefield, Mass.). Natalie Wyrsch was barely tested and picked up the shutout, the ninth of her career.

Salem State's best opportunity came on their lone corner kick of the night. The ball was whipped in by Bianca Gallo (Peabody, Mass.) but Delaney was not able to make solid contact. The hosts won themselves four corner kicks in the game.

The Gulls were constantly on the attack the net of the Vikings and Potcner, who made three saves on the day. By the final whistle, the Blue and Green had attempted 18 shots, five of them on goal.

After a great start to their 2011 campaign, Endicott will travel to Plattsburgh, N.Y. for a four-team tournament on Saturday and Sunday. The Gulls will play University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Saturday and then, based on their result, will play in the either the consolation or championship contest on Sunday. There they will meet either SUNY Plattsburgh or Nazareth College.

The Vikings fall to 0-1 to start their season and will look to regroup when they host WPI on Saturday afternoon.