Vikings Dominant Fourth Quarter Leads to Victory

GORHAM, Maine –- Salem State outscored Southern Maine 5-1 in the fourth quarter, led by Landon Rice's three goals, to come-from-behind and defeat the Huskies, 15-13 at Hannaford Field on Tuesday afternoon. Salem State picks up their first Little East win of the season as they improve to 7-4 on the year and 1-3 in conference. The Huskies are now 2-10 and 0-4 in conference.

Fisher Gadbois and Grady Smith combined for eight goals and four assists while Connor Vittands and Cameron Smith had two goals apiece for the Vikings. Trailing, 12-10 entering the fourth quarter, Salem State scored five unanswered to open the quarter to stun Southern Maine to win their first conference game since 2019.   

Patrick O'Driscoll led the Huskies with four goals and an assist while Rhys Bridges - three goals, three assists and Adam Coley - three assists led the offense.

How it Happened

• Gadbois scored back-to-back goals to open the game before Southern Maine responded with three straight scores, including a pair from O'Driscoll. Vittands and O'Driscoll exchanged scores before Adam Coley gave Southern Maine a 5-3 lead after one.
• O'Driscoll's fourth of the game increased the lead to 6-3 early in the second. The two teams exchanged goals over the remaining 12:34 as the Huskies carried an 8-6 lead into halftime.
• Owen Gaulrapp made it 10-7 at 10:06 of the third, before two goals by Grady Smith, sandwiched around a score from Gadbois, knotted the game at 10-all. Nick Shevchenko and Andrew James scored for Southern Maine to end the period with the Huskies on top, 12-10.
• The Vikings opened the fourth with scores from Gadbois and two from Rice to pull ahead by a goal with 6:49 remaining. Connor Vittands and Rice extended the lead before Coley's third of the game made it a two-goal game with just over a minute left. However, Southern Maine could not generate any more offense as Salem State held off the Huskies final rush.
• Damian Biersteker (5-3) made nine saves in the win.
• Brycen Wolfahrt (2-10) stopped 14 shots for the Huskies.

Salem State hosts Keene State @ 7:00 PM on Friday @ 7:00 pm.