Worcester, MA --- Junior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) totaled seven points including a hat-trick as she helped lift Worcester State past Salve Regina, 5-1, this afternoon in non-conference field hockey action at Coughlin Field.

The Lancers (2-0) got out to an early 1-0 advantage when McPherson fired a shot from the left side of the circle that was redirected off an opponents stick and into the back of the net at the 10:34 mark of the opening half.

The Seahawks (1-1) answered just over 11 minutes later when senior Lisa Bucci (Irvington, NY) received a pass in front of the net from second-year Allison Gold (Greenlawn, NY) and let loose from point blank range to knot the score 1-1.

With 5:08 left to play in the first stanza WSU regained the lead as sophomore Erika Lepkowski (Baldwinville, MA) ripped a shot from in front of the net off a great feed from third-year Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) for her first career goal and the 2-1 halftime lead.

McPherson kept the momentum going, to start the second half, as she dribbled through the middle of the defense and deposited the ball in the left corner of the goal for the 3-1 advantage at the 40:10 mark of play.

With 11:58 remaining in the game McPherson all but sealed the decision when she was awarded a penalty stroke and lifted the ball into the top right corner for the 4-1 score and completed her hat trick.

The Blue and Gold added another late goal as McPherson fired a shot from the top of the circle that was redirected by the stick of Kilday and into the back of the net with just over three minutes to play for the 5-1 final.

WSU controlled the tempo in the contest by outshooting their opponents 32-9 - including a 17-3 clip in the second half - and led in penalty corners, 9-6, with the 4-0 advantage in the final frame.

Salve Regina junior net minder Murphy McCann (Westerly, RI) was strong in net all day as she faced a total onslaught of shots recording 10 saves in the defeat while Worcester State senior Allison Romano (E. Bridgewater, MA) was only called upon for one save.

Both teams return to action Tuesday night for 7 PM affairs as WSU heads to New England College and Salve returns home to face-off with Bridgewater State.

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant

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