WORCESTER -- In a battle of crosstown rivals, Worcester State ended up the victor on Wednesday night coming away with a 2-1 nail biting, overtime victory. The Lancers sealed the win with just 38 seconds remaining in the first overtime period. 

With the loss, WPI drops to 5-2 on the season while Worcester State improves to 6-1 in 2021.  

Worcester State ended the Engineers' streak of holding their opponents scoreless early in the game when they took a 1-0 lead nearly 12 minutes in. The scoreless period spanned 197:05 and across five games for WPI. 

That initial goal came in the 12th minute for the Lancers, at the hands of Lexie Panagiotopoulos (Lowell, MA). After a couple of shot attempts at the hands of a few of her teammates, Panagiotopoulo reeled in a loose ball and snuck it into the left side of the net for the score.  

It took until the fourth quarter, but the Engineers struck back when Eliza Dutson (Woodstock, CT) netted her ninth goal of the season to even the score at one-all in the 50th minute of play. Dutson's goal appeared eerily similar to Panagiotopoulo's earlier score. After inserting the penalty corner, Emily Sollecito (Bedford, MA) collected a misfired shot, whipped around and fired on net. The State netminder Madison Ferrara (Somerset, MA) made the initial save, but Dutson collected the rebound and snuck it past Ferrare to the left for the equalizer, ultimately forcing overtime.  

Dutson's nine goals this season lead the NEWMAC and rank seventh in the country.  

In the 7-on-7 period with just 38 seconds remaining, Worcester State utilized a late penalty corner opportunity to earn the win. Emily Floury (Warren, MA) took the initial shot off the corner which drew out WPI goalkeeper Nini Acquista (Longmeadow, MA) just enough for Carly Duff (Warren, MA) to sneak behind her, gather the rebound and score her fourth goal of the season and second game-winner.  

Both Acquista and Ferrara finished with six stops on the night while WPI's Lauren Meinhold (Boxboro, MA) was credited with a defensive save. 

The Engineers look to get back to their winning ways on Saturday, Sept. 25 when they play host Mount Holyoke at 1pm. Worcester State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 24 at 7pm when they host Fitchburg State. 

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