FITCHBURG, Mass. - The Worcester State University field hockey team exploded for five second half goals on Friday evening as the Lancers defeated their rivals from Fitchburg State University 5-0 in Little East Conference action at Elliot Field.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 2-1 on the season, and 1-0 in the Little East. The Falcons drop to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play.
Neither team was able to find the net in the first half, but Fitchburg State senior Molly Richard (Leominster, Mass.) had the best scoring opportunity for the Falcons midway through the first half. Lancer goalkeeper Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) was able to turn aside the shot however to preserve the 0-0 stalemate.
In the second half, Worcester State grabbed the lead just 55 seconds in and never looked back as freshman Anna Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) struck for her first collegiate tally for the 1-0 edge. The Lancers quickly doubled their margin minutes later when junior Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) gathered a feed from senior Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) and deposited a shot inside the near post.
Worcester State extended its advantage in the 41st minute of play as senior Jess Wilding (Somerset, Mass.) connected for her third goal on the year to make the score 3-0, before Parent deposited two tallies of her own for the 5-0 final score. The Lancers five-goal outburst came in just a span of 17:36 as the visitors closed out the one-sided victory.
In the cage, Fitchburg junior Rhiannon Fletcher (Royalston, Mass.) and freshman Abby Bryant (Ware, Mass.) combined for 11 saves for the Falcons, while Hopkins and Kacy Florence (Methuen, Mass.) each stopped two shots for the Lancers to combine for the shutout.
Worcester State held a 24-9 shot advantage, while also finishing with a 17-3 margin in penalty corners.
Up next, the Falcons will host the Hawks of Roger Williams on Thursday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 7 p.m. The Lancers will visit WPI on the same date to take on the Engineers for a non-conference bout, also at 7 p.m.
Release courtesy of Fitchburg State University Sports Information.