The Worcester State field hockey team played their first game since the fall of 2019 on Thursday evening, opening their 2021 season with a convincing 5-0 road victory over Anna Maria College (Amcats).

Five separate Lancers contributed goals on the victory. While the score remained tied through the first quarter, junior midfielder Molly Cutting put one past the Amcats netminder, notching her first goal of the season just minutes into the 2^nd quarter on a pass from first year Madison Avilla.

The Lancers had no trouble finding the back of the net in the 3^rd quarter. Avilla scored her first collegiate goal on a pass from junior midfielder Carly Duff. The goal was followed up by a tally from senior midfielder Lexie Panagiotopoulos on a pass from Emily Saucier. The offensive quarter was capped off with an unassisted goal from Duff. The fifth and final Lancer goal came in the 4^th quarter from senior forward, Hope Mackey.

Worcester State outshot Anna Maria 16-3. Duff led the Lancers with 3 shots, while forward Alana Trotto led the Amcats with 2. Lancer goaltender, Sam Gastonguay turned aside two of two shots on goal, earning a shutout in her first collegiate start. Hannah Tobey of the Amcats stopped three of seven shots on goal.

The Lancers, ranked first in the Little East Conference preseason coaches poll, improved their record to 1-0-0, while the Amcats fell to 0-1-0. The Lancers will travel to Clark University, Saturday, September 4^th at 12:00pm.