WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – First-year sophomore transfer Tyler Gibbs (East Windsor) scored the only necessary goal with 13 minutes left in the first half and junior Tyler Jones (Vernon) added his team-leading five of the season to add insurance with 21 minutes left as the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team remained undefeated at Thomas Nevers Field this year with a 2-0 non-conference victory over Salem State University Tuesday afternoon.

Ranked fifth in most recent New England rating, released today, Eastern (8-1-1) moved within a win of equaling its total of a year ago by capturing its fifth at home in as many decisions this year.

Making his second career start, Gibbs scored his second career goal by knocking a rebound of junior Alejandro Tobon's (West Hartford) shot past Salem (0-8-0) sophomore keeper  Greg Enos from close range. In the second half, Jones connected on a header from sophomore JD Stearns' (Bolton) crossing pass from the right side.

Making only his second appearance of the season due to a foot injury, sophomore Adam Traxler (Newburyport, MA) took four shots immediately upon entering the match in the final 15 minutes of the first half. His first shot sailed wide right, and less than a minute later fired three successive shots from close range on Enos, who denied them all.

Eastern controlled the tempo throughout in handing Salem its fifth shutout loss of the year. The Warriors outshot the Vikings, 21-5 and did not allow the visitors a corner kick.

Eastern hosts Keene State College in a Little East Conference match Saturday at 1 p.m. at Nevers Field