Lancers Expand Winning Streak to Seven in 5-1 Homecoming Win over Southern Maine

WORCESTER, Mass .— The Worcester State Lancers' field hockey team opened up the university's homecoming festivities with a 5-1 win over the visiting Huskies of Southern Maine, improving their winning streak to seven game.

The Lancers dominated the first half of the game, leaving the Huskie's behind 3-0 at the end of 35 minutes of play. Sophomore Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) put the Lancers on the board in the 12^th minute of play with a rebound goal off of Huskie goalkeeper Elizabeth Amadei (Falmouth, Maine). Eight minutes later, Jess Wilding (Somerset, Mass.) received a pass from Worcester's Kayla Quinn (Sutton, Mass.) following a penalty corner for the 2-0 gain.

Worcester State managed to score the third goal of the half with just six minutes remaining, when Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) received a pass from the right side from teammate Parent, giving the Lancers a 3-0 advantage going into the second half.

Worcester State maintained control of the game in the second half, as Lancer Jolane Thibault (Douglas, Mass.) scored two back-to-back goals within seconds of each other. The first goal came off an assist from teammate Antonelli, who found the open Thibault after beating a Huskie defender and the Huskie goalie. Just 22 seconds later, Parent stole the ball from a Southern Maine defender, dribbled up the middle and handed the ball off to Thibault who drilled it into the back of the cage.

The Lancer's offense did not go unanswered, however, as Southern Maine's Tayla Smedberg (Oxford, Maine) was left wide open in the circle, faked the Lancer goalie and scored in the 41^st minute of play, spoiling the shut-out for the Lancers.

Worcester State's netminder Kathryn Salemme (Acton, Mass.) improves to 12-4 on the season and earned seven saves in the matchup. Huskie's goaltender, Amadei earned eight saves in the game but suffered the loss s her record slides to 2-1.

Southern Maine will resume play on Tuesday (Oct. 18) at Bates College for a 6:00 p.m. matchup. Worcester State will continue play on Wednesday (Oct. 19) at 7:00 pm when they host Keene State College in a Little East Conference match-up.

Release written by Worcester State Sports Information Intern Staff