Vikings Fall to Nationally Ranked Jumbos

MEDFORD, Mass. – Salem State men's soccer traveled to nationally ranked Tufts University this evening to take on the Jumbos. After 90 minutes of action the seventh-ranked Jumbos defeated the Vikings 2-1, handing Salem their first loss of the season (3-1-2).  

How it Happened:

• Bijan Akhtarzandi-Das (Washington, D.C.) put the Jumbos on the board first when his shot in the 13^th minute found the back of the net to give Tufts the early 1-0 edge.
• Salem would need only one shot to level the game as Aaron O'Toole (Quincy, Mass.) found Jonathan Diaz (Methuen, Mass.) who laced the ball into the right corner to send the game into the break in a 1-1 draw.
• The Jumbos would break the stalemate in the 53^rd minute with a low corner strike to make it a 2-1 game in their favor.
• The duo of O'Toole and Diaz attempted to bring their squad back into contention with shots in the 56^th and 84^th minutes but neither player was able to connect, solidifying the Jumbos 2-1 victory.

Inside the Numbers:

• In tonight's effort, Jonathan Diaz scored the first goal of his career in the orange and blue.
• Erik Berg (Hadley, Mass.) made four saves in net for the Vikings.

Up Next:

The Vikings are back at home this Saturday, September 21^st when they welcome the Falcons from Fitchburg State University for the first conference bout of the season. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m.