LANCERS SECOND HALF SURGE BLANKS VIKINGS; ADVANCE TO SEMIFINALS

Worcester, MA- The third-seeded Worcester State Lancers (9-8, 4-2) hosted the sixth-seeded Salem State Vikings (2-12, 0-6) on a cold grey evening for a MASCAC Quarterfinals rematch. The winner will advance to the semifinals for the opportunity to play Thursday, May 2nd.

The last time these two teams met, the Lancer's claimed victory with a final score of 17-2. During last season's playoff matchup, Worcester defeated the Vikings 17-3.

FINAL:

LANCERS - 17

SALEM ST. - 7

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Worcester found themselves up quick as the Lancers raced to a 2-0 lead in this win or go home matchup. Sophomore attacker Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY) scored the opening goal, assisted by junior attacker Ashely Hurley (Feeding Hills, MA) just two minutes after the first whistle. Junior attacker Abigail Wing (Griswold, CT) followed up shortly, netting her first goal of the evening, Hurley picking up her second assist. Salem St. eventually answered the Lancer attack, cutting the deficit to one as sophomore midfielder Aislinn Bennett (Milford, MA) shot and scored to put the Vikings on the board with 9:57 remaining. Salem first-year goalkeeper Nora Bradley (Haddon Township, N.J.) kept the game within one on a great save from a dashing free shot that was awarded to the Lancers. The save proved to be useful as first-year midfielder Kenzie Curry (Bel Air, MD) tied the game 2-2 with a woman advantage. Sophomore attacker McKayla Fisher (Peabody, MA) broke the scoreless tie when she sprinted the length of the field, putting it into the net and regaining Worcester's lead with under two minutes in the first. 

Two minutes passed in the second quarter when Vikings graduate student Jenna Wells (Revere, MA) scored on an assist from Aislinn Bennett to bring the score tied again. Another two minutes passed when the Vikings took their first lead of the night off the stick of senior attacker Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, MA). In this thriller of a back and forth game, junior attacker Hannah Erickson re-tied the matchup as she was found by sophomore midfielder Abigail Vincent (Lakeville, MA). That lead would not hold for the Lancers as Wells scored to take the lead. Erickson responded for her second of the day this time as Witkowski fed her a tight pass to reset the tie game again. Salem took the lead shortly after as Curry scored again, Bennett assisted, the score settled at 6-5. Salem further extended their lead when Bennett scored to make it 7-5. Worcester cut the lead when Fisher scored her second of the night unassisted, bringing the score to 7-6 into the half.

Two and a half minutes passed in the second half before Witkowski scored her third of the night, completing the hatrick and making this a fresh ball game with the score now set at 7-7. First-year midfielder Meghan Bowen (Westfield, MA) inserted herself onto the score sheet, firing from range and regaining the lead 8-7. Junior Olivia Lavelle (Peabody, MA) had an incredible save to shut down the Vikings in their ensuing attempt. Hurley sprinting the distance drew the Salem defense to her, leaving Vincent wide open for a 9-7 lead. Wing scored with 4:02 remaining as she dashed left to right, bouncing the ball off the ground and into the net and giving Worcester its biggest lead of the night. Witkowski scored her fifth of this quarterfinal as she came from behind the net to score her fifth of the day and give her team a four goal lead as the score at 11-7. Wing free shot goal from the left hash as she ran at the netminder, the score 12-7. The goals kept piling on for the Lancers when Vincent blasted one into the netting, giving Worcester a comfortable 13-7 advantage before the end of the third quarter.

Graduate senior and attacker Shea Jarvis (Auburn, MA) doubled Worcester's lead a minute into the final quarter, the Auburn native scoring her first of the night with help from Witkowski. Fisher racked up her third goal, this time first-year midfielder Madigan Kelley (Bourne, MA) having the vision and execution for her first assist today. Bowen became the sixth Lancer to score multi goals as the first-year added insurance goals. Sophomore attacker Laura Young (Leominster, MA) fired a clean shot 10 yards out that almost connected but was saved by Lavelle who retained her clean sheet in the second half of action. Witkowksi, awarded a free shot, was set on the right side of the goal seven yards out, on the whistle Bowen sprinted up the slot scoring her third of the playoff matchup, the score 17-7 as seven minutes remained. Vikings senior defender Brenna Greene (Methuen, MA) used impressive agility and stick handling skills for a shot on net that was not able to find its way in as the ball bounced just a breath over the net. Salem St. kept their intensity up through the fourth quarter pressuring both sides of the ball but ultimately were not able to score in the second half as the final whistle blew ending their season with a final record of (2-13, 0-6).

WHAT'S NEXT:

The Lancers will travel out west where they will face off against the Westfield State Owls (10-7, 5-1) in the MASCAC Semifinal for a chance to advance for an opportunity to play for the championship.