MASCAC Women's Soccer Tournament Bracket
Worcester, MA --- Junior Margo Clifford (Attleboro, MA) and second-year Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, MA) each registered a goal and an assist to help lift Worcester State past Fitchburg State, 3-0, in MASCAC women's soccer action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.
With the win the Lancers run their record to 9-6-2 overall and 3-2-2 in conference play. WSU has earned the fourth seed and a home game in the quarterfinal round of next week's conference tournament. They will entertain #5 Salem State at 7 PM under the lights at Coughlin Field.
Fitchburg State wraps up their season at 6-12 overall and 2-5 in league action.
Despite outshooting the visitors 9-3 in the first half and 2-0 on goal, the Lancers, who controlled the pace of play for much of the frame, failed to convert as the game remained scoreless at the intermission.
The Blue and Gold managed to break the tie when junior Shelby Archer (Dayville, CT) flicked a pass over the top of the defense from the 25 yard line to find classmate Cassie Giardina (Pittsfield, MA) alone in front of the net. Giardina then lofted a shot over the keeper for the 1-0 score in the 62nd minute.
Worcester State continued to pressure the Falcon defense, but came up empty on back-to-back chances midway through the frame. Macomber and freshman Kendal Bergenholtz (Grafton, MA) each laced shots that were gobbled up by FSU senior net minder Jillian Kirouac (Leominster, MA) to keep the game close.
The Lancers were finally rewarded in the 73rd minute when Archer once again aided in a WSU goal as she combined with Clifford for a double assist. Macomber fired a missile from point blank range for the 2-0 advantage for her team-best eighth tally of the campaign.
Three and a half minutes later, Clifford deposited the rock past the keeper with her header off a beautiful corner kick by Macomber for what proved to be the final score.
Fitchburg State had a chance to cut into the deficit in the 80th minute, but junior Sierra Santos' (Lakeville, MA) shot was calmly grabbed by sophomore goalie Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, MA) to preserve the shut out.
Witkowski was brilliant in net turning aside both shots she faced to record her third shutout of the campaign while Kirouac stopped five balls in the defeat.
The Lancers finished with the 20-6 margin in shots and the 6-1 edge in corner kicks.
Seniors Kelsey Cartwright (Bridgewater, MA), Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA), Carolyn Hassett (Charlton, MA), Laura Maunsell (Medford, MA), Makayla Moran (Leominster, MA) and Brittany Rotatori (Auburn, MA) were recognized on "Senior Day" for playing in their final home regular season contest.
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