Worcester, Mass. – In the opening action of the 2023 ECHA Champions Women's Ice Hockey season, the team travelled to UMass-Boston to take on the Beacons in an out of conference match in a bit of a grudge match for the Lancers. Each of the last tow meetings between these two teams the Lancers have fallen 3-2, and they hoped to flip the script this time.

The 2023-24 season got off to a slow start for both squads on the offensive end as each team remained scoreless over the first 15 minutes before sophomore Cailey Ryan (Acton, MA) was able to open the scoring with the first goal of the Lancers season.

In the second period, the Beacons found managed to find the equalizer off the stick of Allie Reifler before jumping ahead 2-1 just minutes later off a goal from Margeaux Butters.

The third and what would ultimately be the final period, saw the Beacons extend their lead to two off a goal from Ana Gustafson. Worcester State, never one to back down from a challenge began to mount their comeback and cut the lead to one with a power play goal by graduate student Shelby Reaugh (Raleigh, NC) but would be unable to find the tying goal needed to force the overtime as they dropped their season opener 3-2 to UMass-Boston.

Worcester State (0-1-0, 0-0) will return to action tomorrow on home ice as they host Curry College in their home opener as part of the Homecoming Celebrations at Worcester State.