Lancers Fall in Final Minutes to Westfield State in Conference Opener

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State field hockey team opened MASCAC play on Saturday afternoon with a rematch of last year's semifinal against Westfield State. The Lancers, who fell 1–0 in heartbreaking fashion in that postseason matchup, pushed the Owls to the wire once again before dropping a tight 2–1 decision.

Final

Worcester State: 1

Westfield State: 2

How it Happened:

Westfield struck first just five minutes into the contest, but Worcester answered almost immediately. First-year Katelynn Swistak (West Brookfield, MA) pounced on her own rebound off a penalty corner to tie the game less than three minutes later. Both teams traded chances throughout the rest of the half, but neither side could break through, sending the match into halftime deadlocked at 1–1.

The game remained evenly contested into the final minutes, when the Owls converted on a penalty corner with six minutes remaining to retake the lead. Worcester State kept the pressure on, firing three more shots in the closing stretch, but Westfield held off the surge to escape with the narrow victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, MA) was outstanding once again, finishing with 12 saves in the cage. Swistak and senior Kae Coleman (Attleboro, MA) each recorded four shots to pace the Lancers' attack.

What's Next:

The Lancers are back on home turf on Tuesday at 7pm when they continue their conference schedule with a meeting with Fitchburg State at 7pm.