Framingham State University RAMS

Framingham, MA - Framingham State University Freshman Bryan DaSilva was selected the Tournament's Most Valuable Player as the top seeded FSU Men's Soccer team defeated second seed Salem State 2-0 this afternoon in the finals of the 2011 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, (MASCAC), Men's Soccer Championship at Maple Street Field.

With the win, Framingham State improves to 8-8-3 on the year and the Rams receive the MASCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championships. Pairings and seeding for the NCAA Division III Championships will be announced on Monday. The Rams have made back-to-back appearances in the Tournament Championship game against Salem State and avenged last season's 3-0 loss in the Tournament Final.

Salem State, who is now 12-7 on the year, was vying for their third straight MASCAC Tournament title.

The Rams had two chances to score in the game's first ten minutes. Their first chance to score came just four minutes into the game when freshman Matt Carvalho launched a kick into the box from midfield. Sophomore Ronaldo Vieira headed the ball to classmate Romulo Carvalho whose shot in the box deflected off a defender and out of bounds. Three minutes later Romulo Carvalho slid a pass to Jepherson Cardoso behind the Vikings defense but Cardoso's shot rolled just wide of the post.

The Vikings had a chance to break the scoreless deadlock just before the half when senior Rafael Santos took a through ball behind the Rams defense and had a clean look at the net, but Framingham State goalkeeper Sam Yoder was able to come up with the big save and keep the game scoreless.

The Rams struck for the game's first goal in the opening minutes of the second half. DaSilva lofted a corner into the box and Vieira headed it perfectly into the upper ninety giving the Rams a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute.

The game would remain 1-0 for most of the second half as Yoder continued to turn everything away that the Vikings sent his way. The Vikings outshot the Rams 9-7 in the second half, but Yoder made seven saves in the frame. With 20 minutes remaining, Luiz DaCuhna was open in the box and fired a shot on net, but Yoder made the diving save.

The Rams added an insurance goal with 2:02 left in the game as DaSilva took a pass from Cardoso down the middle of the field. DaSilva drew the Viking goalkeeper off his line and placed a shot inside the post for the 2-0 lead.

The Vikings came right back off the restart and appeared to answer with a goal of their own, but it was waved off on an offsides call ending the Vikings threat.

The Rams outshot Salem State 17-12 in the game and held a 5-1 edge in corner kicks. Yoder finished the game with nine saves and picked up his 6th shutout of the season, while Scott Hall made eight stops for the Vikings and picked up the loss.

Thanks to Kathy Lynch, Assistant Director of Athletics/Sports Information at Framingham State University for contributing this story. For more FSU RAMS sports info, box scores, calendar of upcoming games and sporting events, visit their website at: www.fsurams.com

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