New England College 4, Worcester State 3
Worcester, MA --- Senior Jodie Dresser (Keene, NH) notched what proved to be the game-winning marker in a 4-3 victory for New England College, as the Pilgrims held off a furious second-half comeback by Worcester State in non-conference field hockey action at Coughlin Field. After tonight's contest both team's records now stand at 8-4 on the season.
New England College took control of the pace of the game in the first half as they rattled off seven shots on Lancer senior keeper Erin MacDonald (Dedham, MA) in the opening 20 minutes of the match. Freshman Elise Luccarelli (Holmdel, NJ) finally sent in her first marker of the season when she took a feed from Dresser at 19:51 to put the Pilgrims up 1-0.
NEC scored again seven minutes later when Dresser recorded the first of her two goals on a cross from sophomore Marisa Ayotte (Feeding Hills, MA). Sophomore Brianna Gerrior (Gloucester, MA) extended the lead when Ayotte dished out her second assist of the evening at 30:59.
After the break, Dresser put New England College up 4-0 on an unassisted marker just two minutes into the second stanza.
Down 4-0, Worcester State would respond with 11 shots on NEC junior net minder Mary Roux (Auburn, MA) over the next 12 minutes of play. Before the WSC's first goal, Roux would make five stops while senior Holly Soule (Littleton, NH) registered two defensive saves in the cage for the Pilgrims.
After the Lancers failed to capitalize on a penalty stroke opportunity, junior Lesley Hill (Raynham, MA) finally found the cage for her first tally of the season at 50:54.
The Blue and Gold make the score 4-3 and put pressure on the Pilgrims with markers from senior Ginelle Blias (Marlboro, MA) and sophomore Angela Johnson (Ashby, MA) at 57:02 and 64:20, respectively.
After Johnson's goal, however, the New England College defense stiffened and they did not allow Worcester State to score over the last six minutes of the match.
The Lancers held a 31-19 advantage in shots, which included an 18-7 edge in the second period. Worcester State also led in penalty corners 12-10.
MacDonald finished her evening with six saves between the pipes for WSC. Roux was outstanding as she deflected 14 of the 21 shots she faced while three stops were tallied by two teammates.
Both teams will host conference opponents on Saturday. Worcester State will face off against Salem State at 11 AM while New England College entertains Regis at 1 o'clock.