WORCESTER, Mass. – After an attempted comeback in the second half, the Worcester State University women's lacrosse team permitted Salem State University the go-ahead goal with 10:39 left on the clock as the Vikings prevailed the 11-10 win on the Lancers' senior day.
With the win, Salem State slides into fifth place in the MASCAC with 3-4 league record (5-11 overall). The Lancers slip to sixth place at 2-5 and complete the regular season at 5-12 overall.
Worcester State's Alexis Vecchiarelli (Agawam, Mass.) and Alaina Martin (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) were the first to score, quickly giving the Lancers a 2-0 advantage. Salem State responded with two of their own from Carolyn Woodin (Arlington, Mass.) and Courtney Smith (Peabody, Mass.), to knot the score at 2-2.
Each team tacked on another pair of goals to put the score at 4-4 before the Vikings scored three consecutive goals, two of which were from Smith, to put them ahead 7-4 with 6:35 to go in the first half. Each team tallied an additional goal in the last six minutes of the half, while Worcester's Kelly Austin (Brimfield, Mass.) and Salem's Samantha Barrett (Arlington, Mass.) tallied their first of the game.
Smith led the Vikings in the first half, registering half of Salem's State's eight goals. Despite the 8-5 differential, the Lancers outshot the visitors 15-13 in the first stanza.
Salem State added to their lead in the first six minutes of the second half as Kaitlyn Palmer (Verona, N.Y.) notched two goals to put the Vikings ahead by five (10-5).
Following the Vikings' pair of goals, Worcester State saw a second wind and attempted a comeback as they scored five consecutive goals, including two back-to-back the duo of Sarah Cohan (Lowell, Mass.) and Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, Mass.) to knot the score at 10-10 with 14 minutes to go.
Four minutes later, Palmer tallied, what turned out to be the game-winner, with 10:39 remaining. The last ten minutes of play saw seven Lancer shots, including two off a free position attempt, but they were unable to slip one past Salem's goaltender, Katie McLear (Paxton, Mass.).
McLear made some crucial stops in the last ten minutes as she earned the win in net, with seven saves throughout the entire 60 minutes. Worcester State's Krissy Pessa (Walpole, Mass.) was tabbed the loss in a 5-save performance.
Salem State's Smith led the team with four goals, while Worcester State was piloted by Martin (3 goals, two assists) and Sutherland (1 goal, 4 assists). Sutherland and Mackenzie Little (Marlboro, Mass.) tallied five grund balls apiece.
Throughout the game, Worcester State held a 30-24 shot advantage, and also outnumbered the Vikings 10-13 in draws and ground balls 29-15.
Both teams wrapped up the regular season and will head to the MASCAC tournament, which will start on Tuesday (Apr. 2). Pairings for the tournament will be release tonight.
Prior to the game, Worcester State recognized its 2017 senior class: #00 Krissy Pessa, #4 Meghan Pini, #5 Angelina Sutherland, #7 Chloe Anderson, and #17 Alaina Martin.
