Worcester, MA- The 2023 MASCAC Field Hockey Champions return to action today to host the season home opener for Worcester State as they welcome the Clark University Cougars to Coughlin Field. Both teams are led by second year coaches for their program, with the Lancers looking to continue last season's success and return to the NCAA tournament.

Final:

Worcester State: 0

Clark: 2

How it Happened:

The first half of action was a back and forth game between the Lancers and Cougars with the opening 16 minutes of action seeing each team threaten the circle. The Lancers would secure early corners but the staunch defense of the Cougars would see the opportunities slip away and allowed the Cougars to capitalize on a scrum in front of the cage early in the second quarter to grab a 1-0 lead. Junior Ciaran Cubbage (Fredericksburg, VA) would corral a slip from fellow junior Alison Kopac (Redding, CT) for the opening goal. Worcester would not sit back quietly though, charging down the field for the remainder of the half but were unable to find the equalizer. Worcester would take a 6-4 shot lead into the half time break.

The third quarter would continue to see both teams battle for control of the game, and the Cougars looked to extend their lead to two with just three minutes left in the quarter off a corner play, but the shot was called high over the boards on the initial shot to keep the game at single goal. Worcester would attempt to use the momentum from the overturned goal to grab their own goal, but the clock hit zero before Worcester was able to settle the score.

The final quarter of action saw the temperature and intensity rise which triggered a very back and forth possession game as Worcester challenged for the tying goal. In the final two minutes though, the Cougar pressure became too intense as they grabbed four corners in a row before a play on the line would result in an inadvertent penalty by Worcester that resulted in a stroke being called. Junior Jenna Beauchain (Dunstable, MA) would send the ball flying to the right just past the stick of senior Madison Ferrara (Somerset, MA) to seal the 2-0 win.

Ferrara would end the game with 11 saves in the full game of action.

What's Next:

Worcester State (0-1, 0-0) is back on the pitch on Tuesday in a road battle at 7pm versus Wheaton.