Second Half Comeback Bid Falls Short in MASCAC Semifinals

Worcester, MA- Worcester State saw two goals from sophomore Erin Condon (East Bridgewater, MA) as the Lancers looked to advance to the MASCAC Finals this afternoon at Westfield State. The Lancers, the third seed in the MASCAC Women's Soccer playoffs, hoped to upset the host # 2 seeded Owls in a chance at playing for a bid of the Championship and NCAA bid to the tournament.

Westfield State jumped out early in the match as junior forward Delaney Parker (Orange, MA) sent a launched ball off her left foot to hit the top corner, just out of reach of Ella Gumienny's (Douglas, MA) to grab an early 1-0 lead. The Owls would extend their lead to two in the 23' minute after a defensive scramble left two Lancer' defenders down. With an uncontested pass and shot-put Gumienny in an enviable position of playing the long drop ball that managed to slip its way into the back of the net.

The close of the first half had the Lancers down 10-4 in the offensive battle and looking to regain some attacking momentum in a bid to continue their season.

Just nine minutes into the second half the comeback was on for Worcester as Condon received a pitch perfect pass from Abby Bond (Bolton, MA), who then corralled the ball and sent it right past the Owls keeper Julia Robak to cut down the lead to one. The Owls regained their two-goal lead in the 65' minute off another high places Parker goal that left Gumienny leaping just shy of the save. Worcester was not set to concede defeat though, as first year midfielder Emma Jacob (Billerica, MA) placed a ball down the left side to Condon, who was waiting wide open in the center of the box, to grab goal number two of the day.

Worcester could sense the time ticking away which was mirrored in their offensive attack, keeping high pressure on every ball. With just 30 second remaining in the game, Worcester looked to be sending this game into overtime when a long ball into the box nearly bounced onto the Lancer attackers' foot for a goal, but Robak raced to the top of the box to smother the ball and hold on for the Owls 3-2 victory.

Gumienny ended the afternoon with five saves on Westfield's 17 shots, while Robak recorded three on the Lancers' nine shot attempts. Each team ended the day with three corners a piece.

The Lancer's end their season at (6-9-2, 5-2).