SALEM, Mass. -- The Salem State College Vikings advanced to the championship match of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference postseason tournament by defeating Bridgewater State College, 3-0, in a semifinal round contest played at Alumni Field.
No. 2 seed SSC (14-3-1), who advances to Saturday's title game at No. 1 seed Framingham State College at 1:00 pm, received a pair of goals from All-American senior midfielder Yuta Kizaki and two assists from senior forward Willer Nogueira en route to avenging last year's 2-0 championship match loss to the Bears.
No. 3 seed Bridgewater (11-5-2), who received 10 saves from senior goalkeeper Ryan Seifert, was outshot 18-10 by the hosts with corner kicks being even at 3-3. Nogueira set up Kizaki for what would prove to be the eventual game-winner at 54:50. Kizaki drilled home Nogueira's pass from 25 yards out high into the right corner of the BSC cage.
SSC senior defender Paddy Boscoe increased the SSC lead by two when he blasted a penalty kick opportunity past the dive of Seifert at 58:57. Kizaki would complete the convincing win by finishing off tick-tack-toe passing with Nogueira and freshman forward Matt Figueiredo being credited with the assists at 61:21.
Senior goalkeeper Pawel Brzykcy made three saves and posted his eighth shutout of the season. SSC will be making its fourth straight MASCAC championship match appearance, having dropped the previous three. The winner of Saturday's match receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.