Gurlitz Golden Goal Sends Women's Soccer to MASCAC Final

Gurlitz Golden Goal Sends Women's Soccer to MASCAC Final

SALEM, Mass. - Junior Megan Gurlitz (Auburn, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal 4:36 into the first overtime period Friday night, as the third-seeded Worcester State University women's soccer team upset second-seeded Salem State 3-2 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Semifinal at Alumni Field.

With the win, the Lancers improve to 10-7-2 overall on the season and advance to the MASCAC Championship on Sunday. The Lancers will host #4 Bridgewater State, who upset Westfield State 1-0 in double overtime in other MASCAC Semifinal action Friday evening. Kickoff from Coughlin Field is scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday.

Worcester State junior Ali Maldonado (Rutland, Mass.) scored the only goal of the first half, depositing a beautiful curling free kick from distance in the 34th minute. The Lancers would carry the 1-0 advantage into the half.

Salem tied the score up with a headed tally from Katie Brown in the 53rd minute, but the tie would be shortlived as senior Tsara LeBlanc (Gardner, Mass.) chipped one past the Viking goalkeeper just 2:12 later. Freshman Haley Ferrin (North Attleboro, Mass.) earned an assist on LeBlanc's goal.

Just over three and a half minutes later, Salem State again evened the score, this time on an unassisted Taylor Capozzi goal, which would eventually force overtime.

On the only shot of extra time, Gurlitz punched Worcester's ticket to the MASCAC Final. After receiving a feed from junior Madison Rotti (Rutland, Mass.) just outside the top of the 18-yard box, Gurlitz did a 360-degree spun and fired a shot that slipped through the fingers of Salem's goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the clincher.

Worcester State goalkeeper Ashley Spellman got the win for the Lancers, turning aside five shots, four of which in the second half.

Live video and statistics of the MASCAC Championship game will be available at WSULancers.com, with live updates available on Twitter at @WSULancers and Instagram at @WSU_Lancers.

#WooWSOC