Worcester, MA- The 2022 MASCAC Champions open up their 2023 season hosting WPI on Coughlin Field in a Friday Night Battle under the lights. The last match up with the Engineers saw each team come away with a goal a piece, and while the Lancers were content to take the tie, tonight they headed into the game looking to put an immediate mark on their season.

FINAL SCORE: WSU 1 - WPI 1

In the first half it was a back and forth battle between the Lancers and Engineers as each looked to find the momentum and the space to find the back of the net early and set the pace in the game. Neither  team could score on either goalkeeper as senior Andy Ramirez (Park Ridge, MA) and Julian Quaresima worked with their team in front to keep a blank slate on the scoreboard. Both goalies tallied up a total of 7 saves in this intense first half, ending 0-0 when the halftime clock started ticking.

The second half looked like  it was going to be a continuation of the first for the first 20 minutes of the game. Then Billy Chissoe (Gig Harbor, WA) connected from a cross off the foot from teammate Tora Ito (Hapkinton,Mass.) to start the action packed last quarter of the game. As the intensity picked up each team fought to gain the edge and secure the victory for their team. Fresh on WPIs memory was the own goal last season that led to the tie in 2022 as they worked to slow down a steaming Lancers attack. With this high intensity game coming near its final minutes of the game sophomore Brendan Lower (Grafton,Mass.) scored foff a stunning crossed ball from Arthur Tome that connected with his leap into the air to direct the ball to the top corner past the leaping keeper. As the final seconds clicked away each team made last efforts to grab the win, but ultimately the Lancer season started similar to last season, which bodes well for another potential deep MASCAC run.  

Worcester State and WPI now sit at (0-0-1, 0-0).Worcester State is back at home on September 6th when they take on Husson at 5pm.