DANBURY, Conn. – Western Connecticut's junior forward Autumn Sorice (Bethel, Conn.) scored a pair of goals, her ninth and 10th of the season and the Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team went on to defeat visiting Worcester State University, 4-1 at the Westside Athletic Complex on Wednesday night.
The Colonials, now 6-4-1, raced out to a 1-0 lead following a penalty kick conversion by senior midfielder Celia DeVoe (Farmington, Conn.) with just 1:17 elapsed on the clock. DeVoe earned the attempt when Sorice was dragged down inside the box on Western's first possession.
Just 1:22 later, Sorice tallied and unassisted goal, her ninth of the campaign.
The two sides battled in the midfield for much of the next 64 minutes before Sorice finished off a crossing pass from sophomore Allison Oakley (Beekman, NY).
Western added an insurance goal at the 78:07 mark when Jenna Gentile (Norwalk, Conn.) scored her first goal of the season. She was set up alone in front of the net by a pass from Little East Conference Rookie of the Week Bailey Julian (Simsbury, Conn.).
Shortly after junior net minder Jillian Fernandez (Columbia, Conn.) head to the sidelines after being relieved by Serena Gunter (Jewett City, Conn.), the Lancers' Hailie Young (Shirley, Mass.) registered her first collegiate goal. After a pass from the right corner, Young drilled the ball over the head of Gunter and into the onion bag.
Fernandez finished with three saves for the winners.
Vanessa O'Donnell (Worcester, Mass.) and Tori Trifone (Southbridge, Mass.) split time in goal for Worcester State, each allowing a pair of goals. O'Donnell made three saves while Trifone turned away two attempts by the Colonials.
The Lancers return to their home field on Saturday when they face MASCAC opponent, Fitchburg State in a 12:00 noon game.
Release Courtesy of Western Connecticut Sports Information