Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Ice Hockey kicks off their ECHA season this afternoon in their home opener versus Anna Maria in a repeat of the last two years of the ECHA Championship matchups that have been claimed by Worcester. The Lancer look to continue their success versus the AMCATs to open up conference play with a win.
FINAL:
LANCERS 0
ANNA MARIA 0
RECAP:
The Lancers opened up play in their home opener firing on all cylinders pressuring the AMCATS from puck drop. Sophomore Cailey Ryan (Acton, MA) was credited with a goal 5:46 seconds into the game to lift her team to an early 1-0 lead.
Junior forward Kierston Erickson (Broomfield, CO) was called for roughing with 6:01 remaining in the period, forcing the Lancer penalty kill to go to work as they shut down the AMCATS woman advantage.
With nine seconds remaining in the first period, senior forward Sydney Vautour (Hamilton, MA) found the back of the net on an assist from first-year defender Fiona Hatton (Homer, AK) to double the Lancer leading heading into the first intermission.
Worcester ended the first period with 24 shots compared to Anna Maria's one that was off the stick of junior forward Jordyn Bleaney (Nanoose Bay, BC). Graduate student goalkeeper Sam Dahill (Littleton, MA) recorded 22 saves in net with sophomore goaltender Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA) with a lone save off the one shot.
Three minutes into the second period, Hatton was sent to the penalty box for checking with the Lancer power play tasked to shut down the AMCATS for the second time in the afternoon.
Anna Maria took advantage of the extra woman as sophomore Tessa Henry (Milestone, SK) cut the score to 2-1, the assist from Bleaney.
Worcester tallied another penalty, this time senior defender Layna Pereiro (Chicago, IL) was sent off for interference. Once again, Anna Maria took advantage of the extra person as Bleaney scored on the power play to tie the game 2-2 with assists from senior defender Abigail Vigiotte (Medford, MA) and senior forward Shayla MacDonald (Victoria, BC).
Worcester and Anna Maria fought neck and neck throughout the period. The AMCATs Bleaney scored the game winning on a two on one situation to see Anna Maria take their first lead of the game. The Lancers were unable to find the equalizing goal in the period, dropping the game 3-2 to Anna Maria.
Worcester State now sits at (0-2-0,0-1-0) while Anna Maria moves to (1-2-1, 1-0-0). The Lancers will return to action on Monday when they faceoff against the Curry College Colonels in the rescheduled match from October 28th.