Lancers Battle to Tight Finish in MASCAC Championship

Worcester, MA- In what has turned into a typical post season meeting in Women's Soccer, though this time with the positions flipped this year, the #1 seeded Worcester State Lancers hosted the #2 seeded Westfield State Owls in the MASCAC Championship game. Since the return to action after the 2020 season, the Owls have ended the Lancers season with a 3-0, 3-2 and 2-0 set back in the semifinals  and 1-0 loss in the MASCAC Championship in 2021. For the first time in the meeting, Worcester State held the home field advantage in the meeting.

Final:

Westfield State: 1

Worcester State: 0

How it Happened:

It was a fast start for the Owls as they quickly charged into the box of the Lancers in the opening minutes of the game, but the defense and midfield combined to force the pressure out and begin a full midfield contest for most of the first half. Each team traded passes and throws in but neither team was able to find cohesive momentum in their attack. Westfield would have the first real threat from senior Kiana Muratsuka (Wahiawa, HI) who sent a shot sailing to junior Ella Gumienny (Douglas, MA) who made a leaping save to pop the shot over the cross bar for the first corner of the game. Late in the first half the Lancers would begin to find some deeper connection on the attack and pressure the Owls keeper senior Julia Robak (Chicopee, MA), forcing some diving saves to keep the battle settled. With just over 10 minutes to go Westfield would look to have the lead as a shot from Muratsuka went flying at cage, but a ding on the edge of the cross bar and post would prevent the score and allow Worcester time to clear the danger from the zone. A few minutes later sophomore Kylie Tomasetti (Northborough, MA) would receive a direct send from the corner kick and connect, sending Gumienny to the ground for the last second save. 

The intensity was high to start the first half as the time to grab a goal quickly ticked away. Worcester would have some early chances but the connection was just off for a solid go at the net.  Just over 10 minutes into the game Westfield would fight their way down the left sideline where a cross in the box would meet the foot of Muratsuka for a baby tap pass to senior Olivia Crooks (Wilbraham, MA) who nailed the shot into the back of the net to put the Owls up 1-0. In the ensuing possession Worcester would work their own way down the pitch and threaten to tie as senior Erin Condon (East Bridgewater,MA) would connect with the ball inside the box, but a diving save from Robak would hold the Owls lead. Worcester would go on a full offensive attack with under 28 minutes to go, putting high pressure on Westfield. Junior Jess Forbes (Clinton, MA), a stalwart presence at the top of the box all game for the Lancers would have a chance to tie the game up from deep with under 22 to go, but a leaping save from the stonewall Robak would prevent the opportunity. The final 10 minutes would find the Lancers heavy on the attack with first year Annya O'Rourke (Worcester, MA) and Forbes dropping in some long shots, but Robak was covering the whole breadth of the cage to ensure nothing crossed the line. Westfield would hold off the Worcester late attack for the 1-0 win. 

Robek, the MASCAC Tournament MVP, would end the game with four saves while Gumienny would record three saves in the Championship action.

What's Next:

With the win Westfield State will now await their NCAA Tournament pairing, which will be released on NCAA.com on Monday at 11am.