Lancers Dominate Vikings in Conference Play
WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University Lancers dominated play in the 7-1 win over the Salem State Vikings Friday (Sep. 16) night under the lights at Coughlin Stadium, as the Lancers marked a heavy 31-6 shot advantage.
WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University Lancers dominated play in the 7-1 win over the Salem State Vikings Friday (Sep. 16) night under the lights at Coughlin Stadium, as the Lancers marked a heavy 31-6 shot advantage.
With the win, the Lancers advance to 3-3 overall, and 2-0 in Little East Conference (LEC) play, while the Vikings dip to 1-4 and are still searching for their first LEC win at 0-3 in conference.
"We definitely showcased our offense tonight," stated interim head coach Alexa Carlson.
Worcester State started their scoring in the 16th minute when junior Hayley Sutherland (Tewskbury, Mass.) fired a shot past the Vikings goalie's right shoulder following a penalty stroke.
The Lancers maintained possession of the ball as they dropped in a pair of goals in the 23rd and 24th minutes. Freshman Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) scored her fourth goal of the season on an assist from Catherine Clark (Worcester, Mass.).
Senior captain Meghan Pini (Natick, Mass.) notched the third goal in on a helper from classmate Morgan Cooper (Fitchburg, Mass.).
In the last five minutes of the first half, the Vikings had two chances to score as both Kaitlynn Palmer (Verona, N.Y.) and Natalie Bourne (Tewksbury, Mass.) took shots on Kathryn Salemme (Acton, Mass.). Though, they were stopped and resulted in the 3-0 benefit for the Lancers going into the second half.
The Lancers' fourth goal came 7th minutes into the second half when Antonelli registered her second goal of the night on an assist from Kayla Quinn (Sutton, Mass.).
Salem State scored their first goal of the game in the 47th minute when Courtney Smith (Peabody, Mass.) received a ball from Marissa Penge (Liverpool, N.Y.) who then dribbled the ball toward net and set the score at 4-1.
About 10 minutes later, Sutherland responded with a miraculous two-touch 20-yard shot off a Pini penalty corner that drifted into the air over Salem's defender and goalkeeper's head to the back left corner of the net. (VIDEO)
Following Sutherland's goal, Worcester State's Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) and Morgan Cooper (Fitchburg, Mass.) scored one apiece to round the final score to 7-1 in the Lancers' favor.
Worcester State's Salemme earned her third win in goal thus far this season, while the Vikings' Carolyn Woodin (Arlington, Mass.) suffered the loss in a stunning 18-save performance.
"The girls are really developing great chemistry and we are starting to become a cohesive unit," commented Carlson.
"It took us a few games to find our grove, but I think we've finally found that," concluded Carlson.
The Lancers continue LEC play on Tuesday (Sep. 20) when they travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 7:00 p.m. matchup. The Vikings also resume play then when they entertain LEC opponent Keene State, also at 7:00 p.m.