Owls Clinch Top Seed In MASCAC Tournament On Senior Day

WESTFIELD, Mass.  – The Westfield State University women's soccer team used six different goal scorers to best the visiting Mass. Maritime Buccaneers 8-0 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action on senior day at Alumni Field.

With the win, the Owls clinch the number one seed in the MASCAC Tournament and earn a first-round bye. Westfield State will host the semifinal matchup on Friday, November 8 at Alumni Field at 7:00 p.m.

It was yet another dominating performance for the Owls, holding the Buccaneers to only one shot on goal and spending the majority, if not all, of the game on the attack.

Westfield State used six different goal scorers in the winning effort, with seven total players picking up points on the afternoon.

After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead on goals by senior Juliana Templeman (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and Madison Dufries (Leicester, Mass.), Lydia Kinsman weaved her way through a sea of defenders and put a crafty shot past the Mass. Maritime keeper for her 12^th goal of the season to extend the Owl lead to 3-0 midway through the first.

Sophomore Jenn Rennich (Bedford, Mass.) finished with a goal and three assists on the afternoon, including the fourth Owl tally after a point-blank chance in front. Rennich would have added another goal at the start of the second half, but her shot caromed off the post and then took an unfortunate bounce off the goalkeepers back and into the net for an own goal that put Westfield up 5-0.

The Owls tacked on three more goals during the rest of the half, pouring on 29 shots and a relentless attack on the Buccaneers to finish the decisive effort.

Abby Baker (Wrentham, Mass.) picked up her first collegiate goal, and Templeman added her second of the day to round out the scoring for Westfield State.

Freshman Paige Albertson (Nantucket, Mass.) made 29 saves on the afternoon for Mass. Maritime, and the combined effort of Lauryn Davis (Templeton, Mass.) and Lauren Butler (Spencer, Mass.) held the one-save shutout for the Owls.

Before the game, Westfield State honored their four seniors in Gianna Monchecchi (Windsor, Mass.), Juliana Templeman, Marissa McGue (Quincy, Mass.), and Bella Eduardo (Springfield, Mass.) for their hard work and dedication to the soccer program and contribution to Westfield State Athletics.

Altogether, the Westfield State seniors finished with five points in today's match with the two goals from Templeman and an assist from McGue.

The loss brings an end to Mass. Maritime's season, and Westfield State turns their attention to the MASCAC Tournament.

The Owls will face the winner of the MASCAC quarterfinal on Tuesday night between the #3 and #6 seeds, still to be determined after today's conference results around the league.