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Posted: Jan 17, 2026

Vikings Defeat Lancers 5–2 in Conference Matchup

Vikings Defeat Lancers 5–2 in Conference Matchup
Video Box Score
Scoring Summary
1st - 09:45 - Whitman, Carson (Salem St.)
2nd - 06:03 - Tatro, James (Salem St.)
2nd - 09:11 - Dill, Zach (Salem St.)
2nd - 16:05 - Grandbois, Bryce (Worcester St.)
2nd - 17:57 - Tyrie, Sean (Worcester St.)
3rd - 02:14 - Whitelaw, Eric (Salem St.)
3rd - 18:29 - Tatro, James (Salem St.)
Game Leaders
Worcester St.
G: 2 Players (#23, #24) - 1
A: 2 Players (#21, #24) - 1
Sh: Bryce Grandbois - 8
Sv: Salvatore Carabelli - 11
Salem St.
G: James Tatro - 2
A: 8 Players (#7, #9, #14, #16, #17, #19, #22, #26) - 1
Sh: 3 Players (#20, #26, #34) - 3
Sv: Will Nepveu - 34
Team Stats
Full stats

Worcester State 2  vs. Salem State 5 

 Records:

Albertus Magnus (7-6-3)

Salem State University Vikings (4-10-2) 

Location: Salem, MA  

Date: Saturday January 17, 2026 

THE LEAD:

The Vikings earned a victory over the Lancers behind a strong offensive showing, scoring five goals, and received a strong performance in goal.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

The Vikings opened the scoring just under nine minutes into the first period when Carson Whitman found the back of the net off a pass from Shane Taddia, with Aren Francis also picking up an assist. Whitman's goal would stand as the only tally of the opening frame, giving the Vikings a 1–0 lead over the Lancers after one.

The Vikings came out strong in the second period and doubled their lead about six minutes in when James Tatro scored to make it 2–0. The offensive pressure continued, and it was all Vikings as Zach Dill added the team's third goal, finishing a play set up by Matt Babineau and Tatro to extend the lead to 3–0.

The Lancers responded with sustained pressure of their own and got on the board later in the period, cutting the Vikings' lead to two. They continued to push and struck again before the end of the period to make it a one-goal game at 3–2. That would conclude the scoring in the second, with the Vikings heading to the locker room holding a narrow lead.

Looking to close out the win, the Vikings came out focused in the third period. Despite the Lancers inching back into the game, Eric Whitelaw scored to restore the Vikings' two-goal cushion, making it 4–2. The action went back and forth, but Vikings goaltender Will Nepveu stood tall, making several key saves to keep the Lancers off the scoreboard throughout the final period.

The Vikings sealed the victory with an empty-net goal from James Tatro, his second of the game, to cap off a 5–2 win over the Lancers in a conference matchup.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

  • Will Nepveu would record 34 saves on 36 shots against the Lancers
  • James Tatro would record two goals and an assist to lead the Vikings in offense against the Lancers. 

UP NEXT:

The Vikings will be back in action Tuesday January 20, 2026, where they will travel to Newport Rhode Island to play a non-conference matchup against the Seahawks of Salve Regina. Opening face-off is set for 10:30am.