Women's Lacrosse Advances with MASCAC Quarterfinal Win over Mass. Maritime

WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's lacrosse team earned a 12-6 victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy Tuesday night at Coughlin Field in the Quarterfinals of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

With the victory, Worcester State moves to 11-5 on the season, and moves on to face Framingham State Thursday night in the MASCAC Semifinals. Mass. Maritime's season comes to an end with a record of 9-8.

Junior Cammi Balentine (Haverhill, Mass.) opened the scoring for the Buccaneers just 1:06 into the contest, and goals from Anna Deely (Marstons Mills, Mass.) and Casey Sullivan (Sagamore Beach, Mass.) had the visitors on top 3-1 just 5:44 into the game. 

Worcester State would rally for four of the half's final five goals to take a 5-4 lead into the break. Freshman Madison Brennan (Pomfret, Conn.) scored a pair of first half tallies, while Abby Magnuson (Ellington, Conn.), Kylie Hill (Lunenburg, Mass.), and Kelly Austin (Brimfield, Mass.) all added single markers.

The Lancers rattled off five unanswered goals to take an 11-4 lead exactly midway through the half to take firm control of the contest. Sullivan and Deely each scored late tallies for the guests, but it proved to be too little too late for the Buccaneers as Worcester State closed out the victory and punched its ticket to Thursday's semifinal.

Magnuson finished with a game-high four goals in the win, matching a career-high. Austin and Hill each finished with two goals and two assists for the Lancers. Leading the way for Mass. Maritime was Deely, who recorded a hat trick to go along with nine ground balls.

Both goalkeepers impressed on the night, as Worcester State's Chloe O'Brien (Sturbridge, Mass.) got the win with 12 saves, including 10 in the second half alone. Freshman Laura Kleber (Westport, Mass.) turned aside 14 shots in the losing effort.

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