Salem State Squeaks Past Fitchburg State, 4-3 (OT)

Hutton and Riggs pace Falcons in MASCAC setback

FITCHBURG, Mass. (November 21, 2009) - Senior captain Andrew Hutton (Brewster, Mass./Boston Harbor Wolves) and junior Chris Riggs (Sewell, N.J./Port Vancouver Pioneers) paced Fitchburg State with two points apiece in a losing effort as the Falcons fell to MASCAC rival Salem State College, 4-3 in overtime this evening.

Hutton and Riggs combined for two goals and two assists to lead all Fitchburg State scorers, while sophomore Kris Threlkeld (Centerville, Ohio/CD Selects) chipped in with one marker. Freshman Casey Terreri (Warwick, R.I./Walpole Stars) led the Salem State attack with a game-high two tallies, while junior Matthew Johnson (Lynn, Mass./Tilton School) added one goal and one assist.

Fitchburg State opened the scoring early in the contest as Hutton and Riggs teamed up at the 5:06 mark to give the Falcons an early 1-0 lead. Hutton took a Riggs dish and connected for his second goal of the season, beating senior goaltender James LaCour (Silver Spring, Md./Xaverian Brothers) to the left side.

Salem State rallied back posting back-to-back scores over the next 18 minutes of play to grab a 2-1 lead. Terreri evened the score late in the first period as the freshman forward netted his first goal of the game, while senior Chris MacInnis (Waltham, Mass./Waltham) gave the Vikings a one goal edge at 16:34 in the second.

Fitchburg State answered early in the third frame as the duo of Riggs and Hutton struck again. This time, Riggs found the back of the net, collecting his third score of the season off Hutton's helper.

Later in the period, Salem State regained its one goal advantage with on Johnson's goal, but Fitchburg State responded again, netting the equalizer with five minutes remaining in regulation. The Falcons received the sudden burst from Threlkeld as the quick footed sophomore notched his second goal of the year to force an overtime period.

In the extra frame, both teams traded shots before Salem State put the game to rest. Sophomore Justin Roy (North Bay, Ontario/North Bay) started the Viking scoring drive with a slap shot from the right side, but after a brilliant save by Robert Vorse (Leominster, Mass./Bay State Breakers), Terreri put home the rebound to seal Salem State's third victory of the season.

Vorse led the Falcons defensively, totaling 29 saves in the complete game effort, while LaCour stopped 24 shots for the Vikings. 

Fitchburg State (2-1-1, 1-1-0 MASCAC) will be in action again on December 3rd, as it hosts Westfield State College at 7 p.m. Salem State (3-0-0, 3-0-0 MASCAC) will travel to Duluth, Minn. over Thanksgiving break to take on Saint Scholastica Academy and Saint Norbert College.

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Salem State 4, Fitchburg State 3 (OT)

Scoring
First Period: FIT: Andrew Hutton (Chris Riggs), 5:06; SSC: Casey Terreri (Michael Genovese), 13:27;
Second Period: SSC: Chris MacInnis (Matthew Johnson), 16:34;
Third Period: FIT: Riggs (Hutton), 6:04; SSC: Johnson (Ian Flanagan), 11:12; FIT: Kris Threlkeld (Kevin McCready), 14:55;
OT: SSC: Terreri (Justin Roy, Kevin Hughes), 2:27
Goaltending: Bobby Vorse (62:27), 29 saves; SSC: James LaCour (62:27), 24 saves;
Shots: FIT: 27; SSC: 33