WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University Lancers earned their first win of the season on Saturday (Sep. 3) as they shutout the Salve Regina University Seahawks 1-0 in afternoon play at Coughlin Memorial Stadium.
The Lancers took the 1-0 advantage early as junior forward Ashleigh Howland (Wilmington, Mass.) scored the sole goal of the game in the 16th minute. Howland and teammate Skylar Alves (Ashburnham, Mass.) proposed a 2-vs-1 scenario right outside the goal box, from where Alves passed left to the foot of Howland who struck the ball in the net for the gain.
Despite the win, the Seahawks held the advantage in shots 18-6 throughout the entirety of the match. Junior midfielder Francesca Galezzi (Lynn, Mass.) led the team as she registered a game-high six shots. Abby McMackin (Wapole, Mass.) rounded up four shots, three of which were on goal. Delaney Maxell (Lincoln, R.I.) notched two shots while six other Seahawks grabbed one apiece.
Of the six shots the Seahawks' defense allowed Worcester to take, Howland tallied two, while the others were taken by Jenna Martin (Salem, N.H.), Sarah Kane (Sutton, Mass.), Kayla Marini (Danvers, Mass.) and Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, Mass.).
Worcester State's keeper, Vanessa O'Donnell (Worcester, Mass.) stopped seven shots in 90 minutes of play for her first shutout of the season. For the Seahawks, Carly Pala (Milford, Conn.) suffered the loss, as she faced four shots on goal and saved three.
Worcester State resumes play on Tuesday (Sep. 6) where they will face up against MIT on their home turf. Salve Regina also plays the same day, hosting Rhode Island College for a 3:30 p.m. afternoon game.