Lancers Claim the Overtime Victory of Bears; Remain Undefeated in Conference

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Lacrosse team (6-4, 1-0) returned to conference action this afternoon in a crucial meeting with the Bridgewater State Bears in their second MASCAC meeting of the young season.

Final- OT

Worcester State: 16

Bridgewater State: 15

How it Happened:

It was a hotly contested battle between the Lancers and Bears in what will likely be a crucial conference battle. Bridgewater would record the opening goal nearly five minutes in off a free position shot with the player advantage and double up just under three minutes further before Worcester would go on a run of their own. In a repeat of the Bears script senior Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA) would score off the player advantage free position attempt and just 20 seconds later tie the game at 2 a piece. Keeping the momentum high, first year Fallon Lozano (Upton, MA) would not even let a minute pass before scoring off a pass from senior Mckayla Fisher (Peabody, MA). Goal four for Worcester would see the two swap places but just a few short seconds later the Bears would go for quick back to back goals for the 4-4 score.

Similar to the first, the Bears would take a few minutes into the second before reclaiming the lead with their fifth goal. Worcester would not wait long to tie it up as Donahue would complete her hat trick. This would start a back and forth battle with the Bears responding for three additional goals before Worcester's junior Meghan Bowen (Westfield, MA) would slip in goal six from Senior Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY). Bridgewater would record goal nine before Witkowski would grab a goal  off a free position attempt for a 7-9 tally. The Bears would slip one last goal past before halftime for the 10-7 lead into the break.

Witkowski would make quick work getting the action started in the second half, recording a goal just 30 seconds in before the attack would stall in both sides for nearly two minutes. The Bears broke the midfield battle with their 11th goal to break up the offensive stalemate. Through the remainder of the third Donahue would slot in two further by goals and added support from junior Madigan Kelley (Bourne, MA) would find Worcester close the gap on Bridgewater to tie it 11-11. With just under two minutes left, the Bears would take back the lead and provide some additional insurance with just 30 seconds remaining. 

The Lancers would again cut the lead to a single score as they would capitalize in the man up advantage with Fisher converting the pass from Witkowski. Fisher would help tie the game up with a pass to first year Meghan Heffernan (Westminster, MA). The Bears would get a goal back before Fisher from Kelley and Donahue from junior Kerry Brown (Billerica, MA) would take the lead at 15-14. With second until the final two minutes Bridgewater would settle the score at 15-15. It would take a few seconds into overtime for Worcester to come away with the 16-15 win as Witkowski would slip the game winner past the keeper.

Sophomore Cadence Oleniak (Hampton, NH) would close out the game with six saves.

What's Next:

The Blue and Gold (7-4, 2-0) take a step back out again of the conference schedule this Wednesday as they host Western Connecticut for their One Love Game at 5pm.