Lancers Battle to Tight Finish for Pink Out Game

Worcester, MA- In a crucial post season seeding battle, the Worcester State Women's Soccer team (7-4-1, 5-0) faces off with fellow top seed Westfield State. The previous meetings with Westfield have tended to go in the Owls favor, a trend the Lancers aim to end in the Saturday afternoon battle. Worcester State's game today is also being played in honor of the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund. The Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund, created by Gregg '86 and Pam '87 Rosen, aims to provide a robust curriculum that supports peer to peer education regarding early cancer detection.  Raising awareness in our young people, particularly Worcester State students in the field of public health, can effectively expedite these important educational initiatives to curb the prevalence of late stage cancer and increase longevity.

Final

Worcester State: 0

Westfield State: 1

How it Happened:

It was a complete midfield battle between these tough competitors. Westfield and Worcester have a history of tight hard fought battles, and this year the Lancers are aiming to claim the victory and put them in control of their own post season destiny. The attack would be limited in the first but Worcester would nearly have the go ahead with 12 minutes left in the first when junior Emma Jacob (Billerica, MA) collected a slip to center from Senior Erin Condon (East Bridgewater, MA) but the shot just edged the right post and wide. The Owls would respond with a threat of their own a few minutes later off a foul at the top of the box, but their attempt would go to the left of the cage. 

The rest into the second half would benefit the Owls as they would find a goal in the first six minutes of action of a slow roller that just managed to slip past the Lancer defense. Worcester would not back down though and match the Westfield intensity strike for strike, continuing to pressure and threaten for the equalizer. The Lancers and Owls would each have some positive chances but the inside of goal remained elusive for both teams for the remainder of the second. The energy was palpable in the final minutes where each inch and play raised in importance. Worcester refused to back down, looking to capitalize on every chance but were unable to find the needed goal to claim possession control of the first seed into the post season. 

Junior Ella Gumienny (Douglas, MA) would end the game with four saves in the intense conference action. 

What's Next:

The Blue and Gold (7-5-1, 5-1) are set to host Eastern Connecticut next Wednesday in a  7pm meeting with their non-conference foe.