Worcester Rebounds Against Wolves for Fifth Conference Win

Worcester, MA- Worcester State hosted the Western Connecticut Wolves on Coughlin Field on brisk Saturday afternoon on Coughlin Field. Worcester State was looking to comeback from a heart-breaking loss on Wednesday that saw the Lancers suffer their first conference loss of the season.

The action was quick to get started in the first half with Worcester quick to put a number of shots toward the cage outshooting the Wolves 5-0 in the first quarter and securing one penalty corner. The Lancers were first on the board with a break away goal by junior Grace Adams (Leominster, MA) after a long pass from fellow junior Zoe Athanasopoulos (Hopedale, MA). The second quarter action was a far more level game with each team with three shots in the quarter. While the teams battled through the midfield, neither team was able to find the backboard and the Lancers remained up by one goal into halftime.

The third quarter continued the trend set in the final minutes of the first half, with each team travelling up and down the pitch. While Worcester State secured some golden opportunities including a missed opportunity by senior Karalyn Jones (Wilbraham, MA) from a cross off Adam's stick, they were unable to add an insurance goal until the final 4 four minutes of the quarter. Worcester State was awarded a corner off a penalty in the circle that saw Athanasopoulos notch her second assist of the game with a crisp cross in front of the cage to wide open sophomore Madison Avilla (Westport, MA), who one timed the ball into the wide-open cage. A brief two minutes later the Lancers secured another corner and looked to extend their lead, but this attempt was ultimately broken up by the Wolves resulting in a quick break away Western Connecticut that required sophomore Madison Ferrara (Somerset, MA) to go one-on-one in a sliding save to break up the attack.

The fourth quarter had the Lancers up 2-0 and saw the Wolves battling to close up the game for their chance at the first conference win of the season, but Worcester State's defense was solid and eliminated the potential opportunities as they came. Worcester, additionally, had their own continued attack on the Western Connecticut defense, and while generating a number of opportunities, was unable to extend their lead. Late in the final moments of the final quarter a golden chance was just missed when a dish across the middle from Adams was sent towards the cage by first year Kaelin Coleman (Attleboro, MA), but a diving stick save by Kayla Hnasko robbed the Lancers of the chance to make it 3-0.

Worcester State finished with two goals on the game and 19 shots. Jones led the Lancers with five shots while Adams and Avilla each scored a goal assisted off of Athanasopoulos. Ferrara finished the afternoon with four saves in the shutout.