Salem, MA - Salem State University scored four goals in the first five minutes and cruised to a 22-5 victory over Northern Vermont University-Lyndon in Wednesday's non-conference men's lacrosse game.  The game was the Hornets' season opener, while the Vikings improved to 2-1 on the season.

After Salem State's Patrick Guinee got the Vikings on the scoreboard first with a man up goal 2:15 into the game, Drew Worthley scored three times in quick succession to make it 4-0 less than five minutes into the game.  The Hornets got on the scoreboard at the 7:26 mark of the opening quarter when Anthony Townsend (Pembroke, MA) took a pass from Cam Meigs (St. Johnsbury, VT) and fired a shot past Viking goalie Zach Royal for a man up goal.  Lyndon cut the Salem State lead to 4-2 1:25 later when Townsend found Benjamin Cheever (Johnson, VT) for another man up tally.  The Vikings would respond with a man down goal from Lake Fleming and an unassisted goal from Cioffi to make the score 6-2, Salem State, after one quarter.

Salem State put the game away with nine unanswered goals in the second quarter, including two more from Cioffi and Worthley's fourth goal of the first half.  Lyndon broke the Viking run with 1:53 to go before intermission when Cheever picked up an unassisted goal to make it 15-3 Salem State at the half.

After Cheever scored his third goal of the game just over four minutes into the third quarter, Salem State ran off five more unanswered goals.  After Townsend's second goal of the game opened the scoring in the final quarter, the Vikings tacked on two more goals to account for the final score.

Guinee led Salem State with six goals and two assists.  Worthley and Cioffi added five goals and an assist and Kevin Albert chipped in with two goals and four assists.  Cheever finished with three goals and an assist for the Hornets.  Townsed recorded two goals and an assist, and Meigs had Lyndon's only other point with one assist.

Royal picked up the win in goal, recording seven saves in the process.  Hornet goalie Aaron Florence (Lutz, FL) stopped 30 shots on goal.

The Vikings outshot the Hornets, 70-20, and had a 53-20 advantage in ground balls.  Salem State also dominated the faceoff X, winning 22 of 30.  Lyndon turned the ball over 33 times to 12 from Salem State.

The Hornets return to action on Friday evening with a non-conference contest at Rivier University.  The opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.  That game was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was pushed up a day in order to avoid the winter storm forecast to hit the Northeast on Saturday.