WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's soccer team dropped their 2016 season opener to the visiting Wheaton College Lyons Thursday evening, as the Lyons' freshman forward Katharine Chura (Metchen, N.J.) scored her first collegiate goal in the shutout.

The Lancers and Lyons battled back and forth in the first quarter, though, Wheaton appeared to outnumber Worcester State in shots and corner kicks, 5-to-3 and 4-to-0, respectively.

Worcester State's Ashleigh Howland (Wilmington, Mass.) registered some worthy crosses on the offensive end in the first half, though Worcester had trouble foreseeing an open shot to lay in the gain. On the Wheaton end, Chura ricocheted a shot from 35 yards out that was close, yet not close enough to go ahead in the first stanza.

After a scoreless first half, the Lyons came out fierce and maintained control of the ball. Following a corner kick, Wheaton's Syndey Ferrell (Pasadena, Calif.) took a shot from the right side, from where it deflected off a foot inside the penalty box. Chura took advantage of the opportunity and slammed the ball into the net for the 1-0 advantage.

Worcester State had one more chance in the second half when Worcester's freshman Skylar Alves (Ashburnham, Mass.) had a breakaway down the field with 15 minutes remaining in the half. She then gunned the ball at the net, though, it unluckily kissed the top of the cross bar and bounced behind the net.

Wheaton controlled much of the rest of play, eventually coming away with the 1-0 win.

Wheaton's Leann Wolf (Santa Maria, Calif,) earned the shutout in the win, while the Lancers' senior keeper, Vanessa O'Donnell (Worcester, Mass.) suffered the loss. Wolf registered two saves on the night, while O'Donnell stopped six of seven.

The Lancers return on their home field this Saturday (Sep. 3) when they match up with Salve Regina for a 12 p.m. noon game.  Wheaton also resumes play on Saturday, hosting Bridgewater State in their first home game of the season, also at noon.