Lancers Fall After Late Goal by Owls

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Soccer team was back in action Wednesday night as they journeyed up to Keene State looking to grab an elusive win from the Owls. The Lancers come into the match ripe for a victory after dropping a heartbreaking 1-0 match to Bridgewater State last Saturday.

The first half was a back and forth battle between the two opponents with Keene grabbing the first scoring opportunity less than two minutes into the game, but a save by sophomore Mallory Dupuis (Leominster, MA) was quick to corral the ball and end the early threat. Worcester responded just a minute later when a corner was called that saw a ball slide off first year Amanda Cosco (Watertown, MA)'s foot towards the cage, but a wide right swing saw the ball sailing out of play. First year Olivia Magierowski(Brimfield, MA) added additional pressure not long later but Owls goalkeeper Sonia Moritz recorded her first save of the game to keep the scoreline at 0-0. The Lancers would continue to threaten throughout the half with additional shots form Magierowski and junior Raelyn Callahan (Pepperell, MA) but were unable to get the much needed goal to put the team ahead. The game slowly settled into a midfield pitch fest that saw the ball moving up and down the field with each defense set in formation to force the ball out of the box. As the half clicked down additional attempt by first years Ava Lemanski (Clinton, MA) and Jess Forbes (Clinton, MA) again put the offensive pressure on for the Lancers, but the shots each sailed just left of the frame. Junior Maddie Breuer (Hubbardston, MA) had one last attacking opportunity for the half but the low shot was collected by Moritz to see the game move into the second half tied at 0-0. 

The second half progressed the same as the first with each team trading shots and chances as they moved the ball up and down the field. Worcester had fast pace up the wings that challenged Keene repeatedly and kept them under pressure. A goal in the 81' minute would shift the game in the Owls favor as a deep knock into the high right corner just sailed over the hands of Dupuis to put Keene up 1-0. Worcester was quick to counter and try to tie up the game, but the Keene defense walled up the box, knocking away each opportunity the Lancers attempted. As the final moments clicked down, the Owls held on to the 1-0 lead and the victory. 

Worcester ended the game with 12 shots to the Owls 15, with four on cage to Keene's 6 making it on frame. Callahan led the Lancers with four shots, with two on frame, while Dupuis ended the game with five saves.

Worcester now sits at (0-4-1, 0-1) while Keene moves to (3-2-2, 0-0-1). Worcester State is back in action on Saturday at 11am, when they host Westfield State in their Katie's Saves Game. The game will be played in honor of Katie Meyer, former captain and goalkeeper for Stanford Women's Soccer, Dupuis will be donating $1 per save that herself and her fellow goalkeepers make during the season directly to the Katie's Save foundation in an attempt to raise more awareness surrounding student-athlete mental health. Fan donations will be accepted throughout the game and be donated directly to Katie's Save. On behalf of the Meyer family, a limited number of wristbands, stickers, and info sheets will be available for fans in attendance.