Worcester, MA- After an exciting game on Saturday that saw the Worcester State Field Hockey team (4-8, 3-2) come home with the 6-0 victory over Salem State, the Lancers are back in conference action tonight as they begin their second conference matchups of the season. The Blue and Gold will welcome Westfield State to Coughlin field, earlier this season Worcester dropped a hotly contested battle to the Owls 3-2 in overtime and will aim to come out on top tonight during their Lancer and Rosen Cancer Awareness Pink Out.
Final
Worcester State: 1
Westfield State: 0
How it Happened:
The first quarter started off tight as the Owls and the Lancers were going back and forth fighting the first points of the night. Unfortunately due to stout defense from both sides a point there was to be no forthcoming goal in the quarter. The Blue and Gold were persevering on the attack and able to get some effective shots and stay in their attacking zone for most of the period as they lead in the shots category 3-1 for the quarter.
The Lancers were off to a quick start in the second quarter as senior Natalya Morin (Barre, MA) came down and scored the first goal of the night just minutes into the quarter after some action in the circle that saw junior Allison Keenan (Marlborough, MA) redirect a loose ball to Harrison for the go ahead goal. Setting the tone for the second quarter and the remainder of the half to come, Worcester State would dominate in their zone once again putting up four shots to the Owls loan on frame attempt.
As expected the third quarter was a tight one as the Owls came out looking to tie up the scoring but the Lancers were of an opposite mindset. Despite great offensive efforts from both teams goalies, senior Madison Ferrera (Somerset, MA) and Emma Gniadek, alongside a defensive save from the Owls Jordan Conrad, were able to play a stellar third quarter preventing their opponents from finding any success in their attack. Westfield however would find another gear in their offensive attack, winning the shot battle 5-2.
The final quarter of regulation action was heightened when Westfield State came out swinging looking to tie and potentially bring this game back into OT action between these two teams. Ferrera would play another stellar quarter coming up with two big blocks to seal the game while the Lancers defense shut down a last ditch effort in the final 15 seconds to close out the victory and another shutout on the season.
What's Next:
Field Hockey (5-8, 4-2) will continue their run to the end of the season with conference games by journeying to Bridgewater State on Saturday to take on the Bears at 4pm.