Abber Nets Hat Trick to Lead Field Hockey Past Elms In 6-0 Victory

Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Katelyn Abber (Dedham, MA) registered her first career hat-trick as she helped propel Worcester State to a 6-0 triumph over Elms in their season opener at Coughlin Field this afternoon.

After controlling play for much of the first period, sophomore Megan Ripke (Southwick, MA) put the Lancers on top 1-0 at the 18:56 mark when she took a cross from the left side from classmate Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian), following a penalty corner.

Less than five minutes later, junior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) tipped in a shot that teammate Jourdan Childs (Attleboro, MA) blasted at the top of the circle.

Abber came through for the Blue and Gold with 9:20 on the clock when she scooped in a long bid by third-year Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) from the right side of the net.

With the 3-0 lead at the intermission, Abber tallied her second goal of the contest 12 minutes into the final period. Abber banked in a long pass by Kilday, who sent over the ball from the near sideline.

With 20 minutes remaining in regulation, freshman Katelyn Carmody (Shelburne Falls, MA) hit home her first collegiate goals off a deflected save by O'Rourke.

Abber closed out the scoring for the Lancers by turning the trick at the 55:38 mark. Carmody caught her own rebound, before passing the ball on the left side of the net to Abber, who surpassed her own goal total from last season.

The lone chance Elms had to break the shutout came with seven minutes left.

Off a penalty corner, sophomore Kristina Kopyscinski (Agawam, MA) made an attempt at the top of the circle and then she tried again when caught her own shot, but she was denied both times by senior Allison Romano (E. Bridgewater, MA), who picked up her first career shutout.

Sophomore Samantha Alvino (Holtsville, NY) recorded 19 saves in the setback for the Blazers.

The Lancers finished with the 25-2 edge in shots on goal while also enjoying an 11-5 lead in corners.