By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams lost their last three games, dropping to an overall record of 1-4 and a MASCAC record of 1-1.
After playing five away games, the Rams hosted their last two games at the Maple Street Field.
The Rams lost to the Salem State Vikings in a close MASCAC matchup 2-1.
Salem took an early lead with a goal in the 16th minute of the match.
The Vikings maintained their lead and led 1-0 at halftime.
Framingham’s Hailey Baker scored on a penalty kick halfway through the second half.
Baker’s goal tied the match 1-1 and marked her third goal of the season.
Baker’s other two goals came in Framingham’s 2-0 MASCAC victory over the MCLA Trailblazers Sept. 15.
The Vikings reached the back of the net in the 82nd minute of the match, securing their 2-1 victory over the Rams.
Framingham’s goalkeeper, Jetta Oskirko, said, “We kind of fell through a little bit.
“It was a game that we thought we should have won and we didn't end up coming up with a win.
“It was a little disappointing,” she added.
More recently, the Rams lost to the Clark University Cougars in a nonconference matchup 3-0.
The Cougars defeated the Salem State Vikings 7-0 Sept. 9.
Oskirko said, “We saw how [Clark] played against Salem and they really dominated them, so we were a little iffy.
“We came in confident like every game and I think it went better than we expected for sure,” she added.
Baker said, “Going into this game, we knew they were going to be a tough team - extremely physical.
“We knew that as long as we played strong soccer, we would be able to hang with them,” she added.
The Cougars scored all three of their goals in the first half of the match.
Oskirko said, “The first two goals in the first half were through balls - big gaps in our defense.
“Then there was one goal they just had a free shot on the 40 - missed marking,” she added.
After giving up three goals, the Rams held the Cougars scoreless in the second half.
Framingham’s Tori Potter said, “We came together during halftime - talked as a team, listened to our coach, listened to our players.
“Listening to each other really helps us as a team.
“Our offense was fantastic in the second half,” she added.
Baker said the halftime shift came from a “really big want” from the team.
She said, “The energy coming into the second half was really high.”
Oskirko said, “Clark's a really good team, so I think being able to hold them scoreless in the second half was a big achievement for us.”
Framingham hosts Bridgewater State for another MASCAC matchup Sept. 30.
Baker, who scored all three of Framingham’s goals in MASCAC matchups, said, “Obviously, I'm hoping that I can put a few more in the back of the net.
“Overall, I think I'm just hoping that we can get stuff going on offense - hoping that more people can get in on that,” she added.
Potter said, “We are absolutely going to take it to Bridgewater.
“They don't know what's going to come,” she added.