Connors Breaks Worcester State All-Time Record with Eight Assists in 21-10 Victory Over Rhode Island College

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — After tying Worcester State's All-time record for assists in a single game on Tuesday versus MCLA, senior midfielder Jackie Connors (Ashland, Mass.) broke the record Thursday (Apr. 21) night as she scored a pair of goals and added in a career-high eight assists for a career-high 10 points in the Lancers' 21-10 victory over Rhode Island College.

"Jackie is one of the hardest working players on the field, and also happens to be one of our primary playmakers" stated head coach Deb Draper. "Despite her being one of the best goal scorers I have ever worked with, she has told me that she values assists even more than she does goals. I am very happy that she was able to achieve the career and school record with eight tonight."

Junior attacker Alaina Martin (East Longmeadow, Mass.) also had an outstanding offensive performance as she scored a career-high six goals and added two assists for a career-high eight points on the evening.



The Anchorwomen opened up a 3-2 advantage over the Lancers (7-7) in the opening seven minutes, keyed by a pair of goals from junior midfielder Betsy Heidel (Warwick, RI). Worcester State would take control and never look back, scoring 12 of the next 13 goals, which included five by Martin, to take a 14-4 lead with 6:45 remaining in the game. Each team scored once more down the stretch to send the game into the halftime break with RIC trailing by 10, 15-5.



RIC freshman goalkeeper Julia Eaton (Cumberland, RI) stopped eighth shots in the stanza with WSU junior goaltender Krissy Pessa (Walpole, Mass.) turning aside two.



With Worcester State's reserves in the game, the Anchorwomen opened the second half quickly by scoring four of the first five goals to make the score 16-9 with 20:19 remaining in the game. Freshman attacker Tess Bradley (Tiverton, RI) keyed the run with a pair of goals. The Lancers responded by scoring five straight, including a pair by senior attacker Kaila Chase (Northbridge, Mass.), to up the advantage to 12, 21-9. Following a turnover by the Lancers, Taylor Theriault (Lincoln, RI) whipped a high-arcing pass into the front of the net that found Bradley who ripped home her fourth goal of the night to cap the scoring for the game.



Eaton finished with 14 saves in the loss (4-8), while Pessa stopped eight shots in the victory (7-7). The Lancers dominated numerous facets of the game, outshooting RIC 42-21, holding a 22-11 edge in draw controls and a 21-18 advantage in ground balls.



Connors 10 points (2g, 8a) led all scorers with Martin's eight points (6g, 2a) ranking second in the game. Bradley led the RIC attack with four goals and Heidel notched a hat-trick of her own. RIC junior midfielder Allison Smedberg (Cranston, RI) contributed a goal and a pair of assists in the setback.

The Lancers hit the road on Saturday (Apr. 23) to take on MASCAC opponent, Fitchburg State, in a 1:00 p.m. game time.

Portions of this Release Courtesy of Rhode Island College Sports Information