Lancers Drop Midfield Battle in Home Opener

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Field Hockey team under first year head coach Sophia Monopoli returned to Coughlin Field tonight to host Springfield College in their home opener. The Lancers were looking to avenge their 2-1 loss last season against the Pride and grab their first win of the season. Both teams came into this game with only 1 goal scored so far this season.

The game was a back and forth battle in the midfield for the majority of the game with minimal scoring chances being knotted by either team. The first Worcester State attack occurred 3 minutes into the first quarter and would see a quick shot towards goal. Springfield would see more appearances in the Worcester State striking circle as the quarter went on but failed to accumulate many successful attempts on frame. Senior attacker Grace Adams(Leominster,MA) made two appearances in the striking circle but both attempts were saved by the Prides goalkeeper. Sophomore Allison Keenan (Marlborough,MA) made multiple defensive plays and was vital in this purely mid range fight. With two minutes left to go an excellent cross was put into the striking zone by sophomore Kaelin Coleman (Attleboro MA) but the Pride managed to clear the ball to the right sideline. Springfield then found a way to counter and with a 3 vs. 3 counter attack, finding a way to draw a foul. With 20 seconds left in the quarter Springfield managed to tap in a goal by Kaitlin Bardelini with the assist by Camryn Morano to make the scoreline 1-0. 

The Lancers after a quick two minute break managed to get an offensive corner sequence where first year starter Megan Goodwin (Keene,NH) recorded a shot on target that was saved by the keeper's boot. The Pride would manage to get a corner of their own not even one minute after the Lancers but even with the uptick in circle penetration the score would remain 1-0. The Lancers had some excellent defense and second year defender Maggie Nailor (Dartmouth,MA) used her physical prowess to block two solid attempts by Springfield. Right before the horns blew Springfield had an explosive counter and the Lancers managed to keep a clean sheet for the quarter. Senior keeper Sam Gastonguay (Ashburham,MA)  recorded one save and the Lancers had 5 total shots in the first two quarters. 

The final two quarters saw more of the same from both teams as they each battled to move the ball out of the midfield and into solid attacking positions. The combo of seniors Grace Adams (Leominster, MA) and Zoe Athanasopoulos (Hopedale, MA) looked to be a major threat to tie the game up in the final two quarters. The dua made a number of solid attempts both as a unit and solo threats but were unable to find their way around the defensive pressure and knock one past the Springfield keeper Neilee Hess. As the final seconds of the game ticked down, a late surge by the Lancers drew a corner that looked to give them a chance at some extra time, but the Pride's defensive pressure kept the ball out of the cage and denied the Lancers their first victory of the season.

Final Score: Worcester State:0 Springfield:1

The Lancers move to (0-2, 0-0) as Springfield now sits at (1-1, 0-0) on the season. Worcester State is back in action on Saturday when they travel to Keene State, former rivals in the LEC for a 1pm battle.