Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Ice Hockey (6-13-1, 4-2-1) returned to action this evening to face off against the Rivier Raiders (8-8-3, 3-2-2) after a heartbreaking last second loss in their ECHA matchup game with the Raiders last night, who stole a win off the Lancers. Worcester looks to even the score tonight in the fourth and final regular season matchup with the Raiders as each team looks to snag the top spot in the ECHA tournament set to begin in a few weeks.
Final
Worcester State: 7
Rivier: 0
How it Happened:
The opening 20 minutes of this first period was all Worcester State as they came right out of the gate showing their offense prowess from the start. It was a much needed show of offensive aggression after a power shooting, but low scoring game, last night again versus Rivier. The first goal would come in the first four minutes of action off of first year Rebekah Garbarino (Holly Springs, NC) as her quick stick would give the Lancers the lead 1-0 against Rivier. The offense would continue to strike as they gained another goal off of a power play just six minutes into the first period. The second goal was slipped in by graduate student Katie Pummala (Framingham, MA) and assisted by the senior forward Ellen Cook (Becket, MA), who currently leads the team in assists with 13. This third and final goal of the period, towards the end of the period, would be recorded by junior Grace Laubenstein (Weymouth, MA) and assisted by fellow junior Kiersten Erickson (Broomfield, CO). The Lancers would not only rule the scoring game but the shots as well, recording 18 shots in the first to the Raiders 11.
Worcester State would not slow down in the second period, making headway into matching their previous matchup with the Raiders where they came away with the 7-0 victory. The Lancers would record goal number four just a minute and a half into the new period when Puumala would record her second goal of the game, this time off dishes from sophomore Lea Gaspar (Chelmsford, MA) and senior Anya Laxton (Holbrook, NY). It would not take long for Worcester to follow it up with their second of the period and fifth of the game where Puumala would make it a hatrick on the night, sending the puck sailing past the keeper for the goal after collecting the rebounded save of first year Fiona Hatton (Homer, AK). The Lancers would finish off the second period with just those two goals and a total of 21 shots to the Raiders 10.
The Lancers scoring spree would continue into the third period with eight minutes into the third period giving Worcester State a commanding lead and goal scored by sophomore Caroline Gates (Natick, MA) with the help of an assist by first year Caroline Melanson (Wakefield, MA). The scoring would not stop as the Lancers would continue to put numbers on the scoreboard as the senior Ellen Cook (Becket, MA) gave the Lancers the final point on the board to finish the game against Rivier Raiders. Worcester State finished with a total of 42 shots to the Raiders 24.
First year Lana Pacific (Marlborough, MA) would record 24 saves on the night for the Lancers, while Puumala would rule the ice with three goals on five shot attempts.
Worcester State now sits at (7-13-1, 5-2-1) while the Raiders move to (8-10-3, 3-3-2). Worcester State is back in action next Friday when they travel to MCLA for a 6pm puck drop.