Lancers Launch Season with Comeback Tie versus Lyons

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Soccer team kicked off their season in an early evening battle on John F. Coughlin Field when they played host to the Wheaton Lyons. Last year the Lancers opened their season with a trip to Norton, where they dropped the opener by a score of 4-1. The Lancers looked for a far different outcome during this opener. 

FINAL: Lancers 1, Wheaton 1

Game Summary:

It was a bright and sunny day at the John F. Coughlin Field. The first half of action saw a back and forth battle between the Lyons and Lancers. Wheaton ended the half with nine shots leading to six saves for first year Ella Gumienny (Douglas, MA). The Lancers attack was not to be out done in their response as they deposited six attempts of their own with five on frame but Wheaton's keeper Patricia Bandrup kept the game scoreless through the first half. The Lancers had two attempts that nearly tied the game in their favor when first year Lucy Watson (Blackstone, MA) streaked down the left side line and in nearly identical plays tapped the ball to the right on the defense to connect for a shot on frame. Bandrup made two diving saves to preserve a scoreless half with the last attempt by Watson coming with just two minutes remaining in the half and had the fans at the edge of their seats.

At the start of the second half it was all smooth sailing for the Lancers passing game, but due to miscommunication between the Lancers, Lyons sophomore Kate Wickenhisser (Oxford,Conn.) scored the first goal of the game with an assist from first year Mackenna Reynolds (Longmeadow, Mass.). But the excitement for the Lyons stopped when Wickenhisser drew a yellow card but just 30 seconds after the Lancers first year Samantha Sharp (Peabody,Mass.) drew a yellow card of her own. That yellow card caused the Lancers to explode with a goal from first year Ava Lemanski (Clinton, Mass.) with an assist from senior captain Riley Patenaude (Pepperell,Mass.). 

After a series of events, Mia Wolfgang (Holliston,Mass.) went down with an injury and later action resulted in the Lancers junior Abby MacDonald (Lancaster,Mass.) to draw a yellow and adding a heightened level of energy to the game. With 20 minutes left in the game, Francesca Freeman (Portland,ME) drew a yellow card as the final moments of the game picked up further as each team vied for the goal needed to grab a win. 

There would be no game winner for either as time expired bringing the first game of the season for Worcester to a comeback tie. Worcester showed much resilience and determination to come from a goal down and walk away with an opening tie on the season

Worcester State and Wheaton now both sit at (0-0-1, 0-0). The Lancers return to action on September 6th when they travel down the road to Clark University for a 7pm start. 

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