WESTFIELD, Mass. - Senior Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) scored a goal and assisted on three others on Tuesday afternoon as the Worcester State University field hockey team defeated Westfield State 4-2 in Little East Conference action at Alumni Field.
With the win, Worcester State stays unbeaten in the LEC, moving to 4-0 in conference and 8-2 overall.
Senior Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) opened the scoring five minutes into the second quarter by putting home her first of two goals on the afternoon. Antonelli redirected a Sophia Monopoli (Worcester, Mass.) ball into space at the top of the arch, allowing Hopkins to run in alone, touch the ball past the keeper, and fire it home to put the Lancers ahead 1-0.
After Westfield tied the score later in the second quarter, senior Katelyn Santos (Acushnet, Mass.) took advantage of an Owl miscue to put the Lancers back on top 2-1. Antonelli made a long pass from the midfield forward toward the cage that appeared headed to an Owl defender's stick, but the ball popped right over her stick, giving Santos a clean breakaway. The senior made no mistake, swatting the ball past the goalkeeper and putting the Lancers ahead once again.
Hopkins scored her second goal of the game late in the second quarter to give the Lancers a 3-1 lead heading into the half.
Neither team would score again until the early stages of the fourth quarter, when Antonelli added a goal to her three-assist performance. Hopkins was credited with an assist on the goal, which came immediately after a Cassidy Windler (Holden, Mass.) defensive save at the other end that would have put the Owls within one. Westfield State scored in the closing minutes, but the comeback bid was far too little too late and the Lancers claimed the 4-2 win.
Sophomore Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) made one save to get her eighth win of the season in net.
Worcester State will be back in action for a home matinee against Fitchburg State on Saturday. The contest is slated to begin at 3 p.m.
#WooFH