Women's Soccer Looks To Advance to MASCAC Championship Tonight

Worcester, MA --- This evening second seeded Worcester State will host #3 Mass College of Liberal Arts in the MASCAC Semifinals at Coughlin Field. The game will feature a live video feed on http://www.mascac.tv and start at 7 PM.

The Lancers finished out their regular season at 9-5-3 and 4-0-3 in MASCAC play. The squad is paced by sophomore forward Danielle Clifford who has a team-leading 25 points (nine goals-seven assists) while junior midfielder Sarah Connors has added seven goals with an assist. Senior midfielder Shannon Feeley has also had a strong season with five goals and two assists.

Connors may lead the group with two game-winning tallies, but six teammates have contributed to six match-clinchers. Cliffords point total is also fourth best in the MASCAC.

One problem Worcester State has had this season is finishing at the other end of the field. Midway through their conference slate the Lancers drew a pair of scoreless ties in double overtime to Bridgewater State and Westfield State before they tied again at Framingham State in a 1-1 2OT battle. Against the Rams, WSC had a frustrating evening as they outshot their opponent 19-13.

"Its always important to finish your chances no matter who you are playing," said second-year head coach Kevin Cumberbatch. "This will be much more important come tomorrow due to the magnitude of the game. All you can do is work hard as you can everyday in practice and hope you can seize the opportunities as they come."

Junior keeper Rachael Armenti has also had a strong season between the pipes for the Blue and Gold. Armenti is second in the conference in save percentage (.892), third in goals against average (0.86) and she has a MASCAC best seven shutouts which have included three against MASCAC opponents. In her last seven games Armenti has only allowed one goal.

"Rachel is playing with a great deal of confidence right now," said Cumberbatch. "I think the biggest thing has been the trust between her and the back four (defenders). Her hard work and fearless play has paid dividends this season."

MCLA comes into the contest with a 13-4 record as they finished their conference slate at 5-2. The Trailblazers enter their first ever MASCAC tournament ready to prove that they can contend after they posted seven straight losing seasons from 2000-06. MCLA did post winning records last season (12-6) and in 2007 (9-7-3), but had three wins in league play and failed to qualify for the conference tournament.

"Deb and the girls have done a great job of bringing that program along," said Cumberbatch. They can't be overlooked and hold a great deal of my respect. I dont believe in favorites in this match up. We are both very good teams and have a lot to prove."

The visitors are propelled by junior Jess Tietgens who leads the MASCAC in points (48) and goals (22) while she is tied for first with five game-winning goals. Sophomore keeper Jen Wehner also posses a challenge in the net her save percentage (.932) is third-best in the NCAA Division III while she is second in the MASCAC in saves. Teitgen's average points per game are also 16th (2.82) in DIII.

The Lancers defense should present a problem for the Trailblazers. As they have posted a conference second-best goals against average of 0.74 led by a unit that is headed up by senior Stephanie Demake and junior Nikki Scott.

"The center backs are the heart of the defense," said Cumberbatch. "If they are not communicating and staying organized it causes major problems. The reason they are both so successful and crucial to our team is because they do a phenominal job of accomplishing those two tasks."

Scott also proved to be a factor in their late September matchup against MCLA during the regular season. Down 1-0 at the half, Scott stepped up for the Lancers and netted a pair of goals to give WSC the hard earned 2-1 triumph.

The winner of tonights game advances to face either top-seed Westfield State or #4 Bridgewater State who also play this evening at 7 PM in Westfield. The Owls were the regular season champions and won the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament last year. The Bears look for revenge after they were ousted in the MASCAC final 3-0 last season.

"That (matchup) is going to be a great game," said Cumberbatch. "Those are two very good teams and I can't wait to see the outcome."

Worcester State has won four out of the last five MASCAC crowns and has an 8-4 all-time record of in tournament play since it began in 2000.