KEENE, N.H. – The Worcester State University field hockey team defeated Keene State for the first time in over a decade, as senior midfielder Jolane Thibault (Douglas, Mass.) tallied two goals, including the game-winner in the second half, to guide the Lancers to a 3-1 Little East Conference (LEC) victory Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
September 9, 2017
Owl Athletic Complex
Score: Worcester State 3, Keene State 1
Records: Worcester State (2-1, 1-0 LEC) | Keene State (2-2, 1-1 LEC)

1^ST HALF

Within the first 40 seconds of play, Keene State's Erica Stauffer (Cheshire, Conn.) tallied a goal on an assist from Julia Babbitt (Haddam, Conn.) to take the 1-0 lead. Neither team got another shot off until Worcester State's Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) fired off two five minute later, however, they were kept by Keene State's net minder, Jordan LaRaus (Bedford Hills, N.Y.). Just moments later, in the 7^th minute, Worcester State's Thibault knotted the score at 1-1, which proved to be the score at the intermission after an even first half of eight shots and four corners apiece for each team.

2^ND HALF

Keene State's Kendal Brown (Belmont, Mass.) struck the ball twice off penalty corners to begin the half, but one was blocked and the other went just wide of the cage. In the 43^rd minute, Worcester State capitalized on a penalty corner. Worcester State's Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.) setup Thibault for her second tally of the day with a high finish after a bobble in the box to put the game in the Lancers' hands 2-1.

The Lancers secured the lead in the 56^th minute when Sutherland converted the Lancers' first penalty stroke of the season for the 3-1 advantage. Worthy defense and four saves from Worcester State's goaltender, Kathryn Salemme (Boxborough, Mass.) sealed the huge win for the Blue and Gold.  

A NUMBERS GAME

• Thibault led all scoring with two goals on the afternoon, while Sutherland recorded her first goal and assist of the season in the victory.
• Keene State's Ally McCall (Watertown, Mass.) collected a game high eight shots (three on net), while Worcester State's Antonelli picked up a team-high four (three on net).
• Salemme earned her second consecutive win in goal, turning away 10-of-11 shots on goal (.909).
• The Owls' Jordan LaRaus moved to 2-2 in goal, registering seven saves in the 70 minutes of play.
• Keene State held the advantage in shots (18-14) and penalty corners (14-7).
• Worcester State is 3-21 against the Owls all-time.

COACHES CORNER

"Today was a true testament to what our program is all about," commented head coach Alexa Carlson on the win. "After being scored on in the first minute of the game, we played with as much heart and passion as I've ever seen the team give. Keene is a fast, skilled and physical team and we really had to work as a unit to find gaps in their defense."

"We were able to implement a lot of skills and ideas we've been working on during practice," said Carlson. "We still have a lot of hard work to do in the coming weeks of conference play but we are ready to rise to the challenge."

UP NEXT

The field hockey team resumes play on Wednesday, September 13 when they host WPI in a cross-town matchup at Coughlin Field at 7 p.m.