North Adams, MA --- Junior Shelby Archer (Dayville, CT) potted the game-winning tally in the 74th minute as she helped pace Worcester State to a 2-1 victory over MCLA on the opening weekend of MASCAC women's soccer action this afternoon.

The Lancers (3-3, 1-0 MASCAC) opened the contests scoring in the 20th minute when senior Kelsey Cartwright (W. Bridgewater, MA) fired her first marker of the season past junior net minder Danielle Heinsohn (Norfolk, MA) when she was fed the ball by senior Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA) from the midfield.

MCLA (3-4, 0-1 MASCAC) netted the tying goal in the 51st minute on a freshman Natalie Caney's (Belchertown, MA) team-leading fifth of the campaign. She took a cross from classmate Jackie Dwyer (Mohegan Lake, NY) and scored from the left side of the box.

But Archer effectively put the Lancers on top 2-1 with 17:10 remaining in regulation by beating the goalie with a missile to the bottom left corner of the net.

The Lancers ended the contest with the 20-9 edge in shots (7-4 on goal) and the 9-0 advantage in corner kicks.

Sophomore Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, MA) turned aside three of the four shots she saw between the pipes in the win while Heinsohn collected five saves in the setback.

Worcester State takes on Plymouth State on the road on Wednesday at 5 PM while MCLA hosts SUNYIT on Tuesday at 6 PM.

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