Worcester State Outlasts Clark in Non-Conference Battle, 4-2

WORCESTER, Mass. – The Lancers of Worcester State outlasted neighborhood rival, Clark University, in a 4-2 non-conference battle on a chilly Thursday night.

THE BASICS

October 12, 2017
Granger Field Hockey Complex
Score: Worcester State 4, Clark 2
Records: Worcester State (10-3) | Clark (5-9)

1^ST HALF

The Lancers opened up scoring in the 12^th minute of play on a break-away opportunity. The visitors took a free hit from their end of the field and a loose ball found junior Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) over the 50-yard line. Parent dodged one Clark defender at the 25-yard line and junior goalkeeper Dani Michaud (Providence, R.I.) came charging out of goal to dive at the loose ball. Parent pulled around Michaud and finished at the back of the net for the 1-0 lead.

Alexa Bobbin (Richmond, R.I.) scored her second goal of the season to put the visitors ahead 2-0 with seven minutes to play in the first half. Parent took a hard shot that was initially stopped by Michaud, but Bobbin recovered the rebound and pushed the ball to the lower left corner of the net.

The Lancers added a third goal with one minute to play in the first half as first year Sammi Souke (Sandwich, Mass.) sent a ball across the circle to Parent who notched her second goal of the game and 13^th goal of the season for the 3-0 lead.

The Cougars never let up and came charging back down the field. As time expired on the clock Clark was awarded a penalty corner. Junior Olivia Barksdale (Fort Washington, Md.) inserted a pass to freshman Cheyanne Zappala (Laconia, N.H.) who fired a shot that was blocked by a Worcester State defender. The Cougars kept the ball in the circle and forced another penalty corner call.

Once again, Barksdale sent the ball to the top of the circle to Zappala who fired a shot in. This time the ball found its way to Barksdale who tipped it to freshman Anna Joyce (Hopkinton, Mass.) on the right post. Joyce batted the ball in past Worcester State goalkeeper Kathryn Salemme (Boxborough, Mass.) to close the gap to 3-1 heading into the half time break.

2^ND HALF

The Cougars came into the second half with an offensive push but it was the Lancers who capitalized on the first scoring opportunity. Seven minutes into the second half sophomore Sophia Monopoli (Worcester, Mass.) found freshman Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) who notched her second goal of the season for the visitor's 4-1 lead.

With 23 minutes on the clock the Cougars saw a huge scoring opportunity as Barksdale took the ball from the 50-yard line and beat multiple Lancers to set herself up for a one on one matchup with new goalkeeper, Jenna Jenkins (Westwood, Mass.). A quick recovery by the Worcester State defense forced a tough shot for Barksdale that was blocked.

The Cougars kept the pressure on and a minute later lined themselves up for another scoring opportunity. This time freshman Chase Collier (Lisbon, Maine) found Barksdale behind the Lancer defense and she fired her fifth goal of the season to close the gap to 4-2.

The Cougars came just shy of scoring a third goal with 6:30 on the clock as they were awarded a penalty corner. Freshman Carden Maloney (Worcester, Mass.) launched a shot to the left post that Barksdale was able to get a stick on. The ball ricocheted off of Barksdale's stick over to the right side of the net and fell just wide of the post.

Clark kept the offensive pressure on but were unable to capitalize on three penalty corner opportunities in the last four minutes of play. The Lancers took the ultimate 4-2 victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• The Lancers outshot the Cougars 25-19 but Clark held a 12-8 advantage in shots in the second half.
• Clark was awarded nine penalty corners while the visitors were awarded three.
• Michaud made 16 saves in net for the Cougars and falls to 4-9 on the season.
• Salemme made four saves for the Lancers and earned the win in 44 minutes of play. Jenkins came in and made five saves for the visitors in 26 minutes of play.

UP NEXT

The Blue and Gold return to action on Saturday (Oct. 14) when they travel to Fitchburg State for 10 a.m. MASCAC tilt.

GET SOCIAL

Follow Worcester State Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Release Courtesy of Clark Sports Information