Worcester, MA --- UMass Dartmouth freshman Katelin Morrissey (Taunton, MA) highlighted three different goal scorers as the Corsairs held off a late charge to defeat Worcester State, 3-2, in Little East Conference field hockey action this evening at Coughlin Field.
Morrissey helped UMass Dartmouth (7-3, 4-0 LEC) stake the early 1-0 advantage when she netted her second marker of the season at the 2:05 mark off a cross from sophomore Emily Anderson (Medway, MA).
The Corsairs, who led first period in shots 8-4, had another good attempt to add to their lead nearly 20 minutes later off a shot by senior Tori Dolce (Jamestown, RI), but she was denied on the left side of the post by junior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) who made the defensive save.
The Lancers (6-3, 1-3 LEC) used the momentum of a one-goal contest in the final five minutes of the frame to place a pair of shots on goal in the last five minutes by McPherson. However, her first attempt was rejected by sophomore Alison Ladue (Bridgewater, MA) by the left post and then moments later, Dolce sent a middle stroke out of bounds that got past the keeper.
UMass Dartmouth then took advantage of the transition defense and scored on a breakaway. With 37 seconds remaining in the opening half, senior Mary Groves (Sutton, MA) helped give the visitors a 2-0 edge at the half with her first tally of the campaign.
Coming out of the intermission, UMD made it a 3-0 score with 49:30 on the clock when freshman Hunter Carden (Branford, CT) scored off her own rebounded shot. The marker for Carden was her second of the season.
Worcester State responded three minutes later and broke up the shutout bid. Sophomore Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) picked up a loose ball at the top of the apron before sending it to junior Katelyn Abber (Dedham, MA).
Nearly 10 minutes later, the Lancers cut the deficit to one on a breakaway. O'Rourke found a streaking Abber again, who dribbled past a defender and tucked the ball under the opposing keepers pads for her team-leading seventh goal of the year.
With 9:30 remaining in regulation, UMD senior Devon Herlihy (Stratham, NH) almost gave her team some insurance, however, McPherson was right there to stop the ball in its tracks. Sophomore netminder Amanda Carpenter (Lunenburg, MA) also cut down a laser beam by sophomore Alison Ladue (Bridgewater, MA) to preserve the one-goal margin.
The Lancers almost scored with 11 minutes on the clock, but the goal was waived off as it touched an offensive player's leg before breaking the goal line.
After the nullified marker, UMass Dartmouth's defense stiffened in the final 10 minutes of regulation and did a great job of not allowing the hosts to score the tying marker.
Carpenter turned aside eight shots for the Lancers while senior Lauren O'Brien (Rochester, MA) collected six saves in the victory.
The Corsairs led in shots (16-11), shots on goal (14-8) and penalty corners (12-4). O'Rourke is now alone atop the LEC leaderboard with seven helpers to her credit on the season.
Both squads return to Little East action on Saturday. Worcester State travels to Bridgewater State for a 6 PM matchup while UMass Dartmouth hosts Salem State at noon.