Julie O’Rourke and Emily Carens Recognized with Weekly Conference Awards

WORCESTER, Mass. – Two Worcester State University student-athletes were recognized with player of the week awards for the week of 9/21-9/27, as named by the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Little East Conference (LEC).

Field Hockey:

Senior forward, Julie O’Rourke (Worcester, Mass.) was named the LEC Offensive Player of the week for her performance in the Lancers’ 2-0 week, picking up victories against Becker on Sept. 22 and Salem State on Sep. 26.

The senior assisted on two of the Lancers three scores against Becker, and followed to notch both goals as her squad shut out the Vikings 2-0 on Saturday.

“Julie has been an offensive threat since her first day at Worcester State,” said head coach Kim Cosenza. “I have followed her career over the years and it has been a pleasure to watch her grow into the talented, hardworking, motivated player that she is.”

“She has made her mark here on the field hockey pitch and is willing to do anything and play anywhere to help her team find success. She is a true competitor and I am thrilled to watch her continue to make an impact as a senior in our field hockey family.”

Worcester State has now won four straight games and O’Rourke shares the conference statistical lead with five assists.

Women’s Volleyball:

Freshman Emily Carens (Northboro, Mass.) was named the MASCAC Volleyball Rookie of the Week for the third straight week in the Lancers’ 1-2 week on the courts.

Carens averaged 10 kills with a .348 hitting percentage for Worcester State. She tallied 14 kills in the 3-0 win over Bay Path College and 11 kills with a .435 hitting percentage in the 3-1 setback to Bates College.

“I am very happy with Emily’s efforts, and it definitely shows as she is the points leader this season,” said head coach Bernie Chase. Carens currently leads the Lancers in points with 114, averaging 2.9 per set.

MASCAC Weekly Honor Roll

Junior Jamika Townsend (Virginia Beach, Va.) averaged 20.3 assists and 6.3 digs in a 1-2 week for the Lancers. She had 39 assists and 14 digs in the 3-0 setback to Bates College and 22 assists with five digs in the 3-0 win over Bay Path College.

Great Northeast Athletic Conference Honor Roll

Sophomore Mike Jezierski (Thompson, Conn.) finished fourth out of 100 golfers at the Elms Fall Invitational this past weekend, as the Worcester State team placed 5th overall out of the 20 teams. Jezierski carded a 74 both days on the par-70 course for a total of 148 (+8). He was only two strokes above the winner of the Invitational (Occidental College) who scored a 146.

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