GRANTHAM, Pa. - The Little East Conference Champion Worcester State University field hockey team saw its historic 2019 season come to a close Wednesday afternoon, falling 9-0 to Messiah College in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Anderson Field.
Worcester State sees its season conclude with a mark of 18-5, the most wins in program history.
Junior Hannah Palm scored a first quarter hat trick to put the Falcons out front early on. Neither team found the back of the net in the second quarter, and the teams went to the half with Messiah leading 3-0.
The Falcons pulled away even further in the third and fourth quarters, scoring two in the third and four in the fourth. Senior Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) had Worcester State's best opportunity of the contest late in the game, sending a powerful backhand ricocheting off the post.
Sophomore Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) had a strong performance in net with eight saves in the defeat.
"Messiah is an extremely talented team," said senior forward Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) "It was great to be able to go out there and play in a high level field hockey game."
"This group (of seniors) right from the start has been the hardest-working group of seniors I have ever had the pleasure of working with," said head coach Alexa Carlson. "It's tough to have a big loss like this to Messiah, but at the same time, I couldn't have asked for a better group of 24 girls to work with."
"Being the first team in Worcester State history to make it to this point is an honor," said Antonelli. "From the start of the season, we knew this team was special."
#WooFH