WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's soccer team snatched a shutout on their senior day as they defeated the visiting Salem State Vikings 3-0 in a rainy Saturday afternoon Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup.
With the win, the Lancers advance to 6-6-1 on the season, and remain undefeated in the conference at 5-0-1. The Vikings fall to 3-11-1 overall, and 2-4 in the MASCAC.
Worcester's freshman Cate Farmer (Billerica, Mass.) tallied her third goal of the season when she one-timed the ball off a Briana Moreno (Lynn, Mass.) corner kick 33 minutes into the game for the 1-0 go-ahead.
Ashleigh Howland (Wilmington, Mass.) put the Lancers up 2-0 right before the half when she took advantage of a mishandled ball by Salem's keeper, Amanda Backe (Danvers, Mass.) due to the wet and slippery conditions, put a foot on the ball and struck it into the net. With the goal, Howland now leads the team with four goals on the season.
Worcester State's Moreno would put the final goal on the scoreboard for the Lancers in the 86th minute when she found a loose ball in the goalie's box, faked out her defender, and shot the ball for her second of the season.
The Vikings' defense played an essential role in the contest, as they held the Lancers to only three shots on net each half. Salem State held the Lancers to just one corner kick in the second half (five total).
Worcester State's Vanessa O'Donnell (Worcester, Mass.) notched her fifth shutout of the season, stopping three shots in the 90 minutes played. Salem's Backe suffered the loss, as she registered three saves on the day.
Prior to the start of the game, Worcester State recognized their six seniors as head coach Kevin Cumberbatch read a memo on each's individuals' accomplishments through the years. The 2016 senior class includes: goalkeeper O'Donnell, midfielder Sarah Kane (Sutton, Mass.), midfielder Moreno, midfielder Kayla Marini (Danvers, Mass.), midfielder Angelina Sutherland (Tyngsboro, Mass.), and defender Nicole Parenteau (Chicopee, Mass.).
Both teams have one more week of regular season play as the Lancers face UMass Dartmouth in a non-conference game on Wednesday (Oct. 26) and then finish up with a contest at Bridgewater State next Saturday (Oct. 29) to battle for the regular season championship. The Vikings host Johnson & Wales in a non-conference game also on Wednesday, and then conclude MASCAC play on Saturday when they travel to Fitchburg State for a 5 p.m. matchup.
