O’Rourke and Ledwith Connect for Two Goals as Lancers Get the Conference Win

WORCESTER, Mass.—The Worcester State Lancers won 2-0 over Little East Conference opponents, Western Connecticut State University, on a pair of clutch goals from senior forward Taylor Ledwith (Springfield, Mass.). Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, Mass.) assisted both goals to Ledwith as they helped Worcester State improve 3-3 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Colonials drop to 3-3 and 1-1 in conference play.

Worcester State got off to a great start as they continuously applied pressure to the Colonials back line in the first 10 minutes of play. Ledwith had an exceptionally great day for the blue and gold as she had the first opportunity of the day. Four minutes in, Ledwith received the ball on  the right side of the goal and tried to fire it far side, but the Western Connecticut's goalie, Kristy Trotta (Danbury, Conn.), made a quick reaction save to keep the score 0-0.

Western Connecticut would have their chance to take the lead off a penalty corner with 11 minutes left in the first half. Heidi Odenwaelder (Goshen, Conn.) picked up the loose ball and fired it across the goal. The ball then was tipped and seemed to take an awkward bounce over the Lancer's goalie, Alison Bieksha (Hubbardston, Mass.), hitting the post to keep the game scoreless.

The Lancer's would break through on a beautiful set up and goal at 34:39 – just seconds before regulation of the first half. O'Rourke stole the ball at half field and picked her head up to see a wide open Ledwith down the line. With the wide open forward, O'Rourke fired a screaming slap pass 30 yards down field. Ledwith grabbed the pass and baited the Western Connecticut goalie, which she then buried in the bottom left corner to take the 1-0 lead.

The beginning of the second half would prove to start the way the first half did, with constant Worcester State pressure. Four minutes into the first half Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, Mass.) had a great opportunity to extend the lead to two. Kenney fired off two shots with in a few seconds. Her first shot was stopped by the Colonials defender, Bryanna Millaby (Branford, Conn.) who had three defensive saves on the day. The rebound was then picked up by Kenney who then was robbed of a goal after a great sprawling save by Trotta.

The Lancers would strike again as a familiar duo hooked up for the second goal at 46:51. O'Rourke passed the ball from the left side to the open Ledwith who turned around and shot the ball to the bottom left corner to take the 2-0 lead.

The Colonials were desperate for a goal and almost had one with 14 minutes left. Odenwaelder passed the ball across the goal to a wide open Caitlin Ogrizovich (New Fairfield, Conn.) who swiped at the ball but the ball took an unfortunate bounce and went right over her stick, rolling out of bounds. Minutes later the Colonials pulled their goalie hoping to gain something to build off of, but the efforts would prove not to work as the score would end 2-0.

The Lancers attempted 21 shots (13 on goal) and Bieksha was credited the shutout tallying up five saves.

For the Colonials, Trotta took the loss, totaling eight saves against the Lancers.

The Lancers will be back in action Tuesday as they head to Becker College for a 4 p.m. matchup. Western Connecticut will take on William Patterson University on their home field on Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Release written by Sports Information Intern, Connor Haynes

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