Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Hockey team entered tonight's game against the New England College Pilgrims with a 2-3 record, the first time in the program's history in which their winning percentage was beneath .500. They would have a tough test to get them back to .500, as the Pilgrims also entered tonight's matchup at 2-3, looking to accomplish the same goal.
The first period saw the Lancers and Pilgrims attack the net, with both teams accumulating over 15 shots on goal. The goalies held strong throughout almost the entire first period, until Claire Conway (Grad Student; Billerica, Mass.) sent her team into the locker room with a jolt, scoring the games opening goal with less than seven seconds remaining in the first. Her fellow captains, grad student Kylian Kelly (Shrewsbury, Mass.) and senior Katie Puumala (Framingham, Mass.) set up the goal and were credited with the assists.
The Pilgrims were able to answer quickly with a goal in the opening three minutes of the second period on a rebound opportunity. With the score even at 1-1, the Lancers would put themselves in difficult situations throughout the remainder of the period. New England College went up a player three times throughout the period due to Worcester State penalties, but thanks to the great play of senior goalie Amber Lee (Fairlawn, NJ) the score remained tied heading into the second intermission.
The third period went back and forth throughout the entire 20 minutes, with neither team committing a penalty, and both goalies holding their ground.
With the score still tied after 60 minutes of play, a five minute three-on-three overtime period was added, and the teams went back and forth once again throughout most of those five minutes. That was until Conway ended the game with her second goal of the night. Only 71 seconds remained when the shot went in, and Conway was again flanked by her fellow captains Puumala and Kelly.
The Lancers move to 3-3 on the season, and the Pilgrims fall to 2-4. Worcester State will be back in action tomorrow night in a rematch against the Pilgrims, this time on New England College's home ice.