WENHAM, Mass.— Salem State sophomore Courtney Smith (Peabody, Mass.) broke a scoreless tie at the midway point of the second half to secure a 1-0 win over Gordon Field Hockey in the season opener for both teams.
 
First-game jitters gave way to a defensive battle for much of the game, as each team only had a handful of prime opportunities to score. After 15 minutes of a possession-heavy game in the midfield, both offense traded scoring chances but to no avail.
 
Gordon's defensive unit came up with four combined saves in the first half, including defensive saves by Bailey Balmer (Perkasie, Pa.) and newcomer Caroline Conte (Amesbury, Mass.).  Salem keeper Carolyn Woodin (Arlington, Mass.) also made a pair of key saves in the waning minutes of the first period to keep Gordon off the scoreboard.
 
The Fighting Scots pressured the Viking defense early in the second half, but Woodin pushed away a shot by Emily Allcroft (Haydenville, Mass.) and Salem was able to clear the ball from danger.
 
Salem State turned the tables on the Scots over the next 10 minutes and was eventually rewarded with a chance off a turnover. The Vikings took a quick touch off the re-entry and a centered pass got lost in a scrum in front of the net. The ball tipped out to Smith on the left side and she was able to flick it over the stick of Shannon Hicks (Scarborough, Maine) for the only goal of the game.
 
Gordon had a pair of chances to tie it over the final 10 minutes, but could not capitalize on two penalty corners.
 
The Vikings (1-0) will have an entire week to prepare for Endicott , while Gordon (0-1) gets three days rest before hosting Husson on Friday.