FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The Worcester State University women's soccer team scored a game-winning goal in the 94th minute to secure a 3-2 victory over the Framingham State Rams in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Maple Street Field on Saturday.
With the win, Worcester State improves to 8-7 on the season (6-0 MASCAC). Framingham State falls to 4-10-1 (3-3 MASCAC).
Both teams had their chances to score early in the game. Framingham State freshman Olivia Mihalek (Northborough, Mass.) had a pair of chances with 20 minutes left in the first, but one shot sailed just high of the crossbar and the Lancers keeper Ashley Spellman (Lancaster, Mass.) made a diving stop on the other.
The Lancers had a chance with 17 minutes remaining on a direct kick by sophomore Maddie Fong (Norton, Mass.), but the Rams keeper freshman Madison Brown (Attleboro, Mass.) came up with the save on the low shot.
The Lancers got on the board finally in the 36th minute. Junior Skylar Alves (Ashburnham, Mass.) sent a corner into the box that senior Jenna Martin (Salem, NH) deflected into the net for the 1-0 advantage.
The Rams tallied the equalizer with just over 16 minutes to play in the second. The Rams had a throw in from the left sideline that was deflected around in the box.
The tie did not last long as the Lancers tallied the go ahead marker in the 83rd minute. Sophomore Ali Maldonado (Rutland, Mass.) took a direct kick near midfield and sent the ball into the box on a high bounce. Martin was able to redirect the ball into the back of the net for the 2-1 lead.
The lead was short lived as the Rams answered with the tying marker with 3:22 left on the clock. Senior Hannah Kane (North Attleboro, Mass.) sent a corner into the box and freshman Elizabeth Paolucci (Chelmsford, Mass.) headed it home for the 2-2 game.
The Lancers took the ensuing restart right down the field and had a good look at the net, but Brown came up with a huge save preserving the tie sending the game to overtime.
Maldonado sealed the victory for the Lancers in the 94th minute when she found the back of the net with a direct kick from thirty yards out.
The Lancers outshot the Rams 14-11 in the contest and held a 7-4 edge in corner kicks. Brown finished the game with six saves for the Rams, while Spellman made three for the Lancers. Martin tallied a pair of goals for the Lancers, while Maldonado finished the contest with a goal, the game-winner, and a helper. With the victory the Lancers have secured the MASCAC Women's Soccer Regular Season Title.
The Rams are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Regis for a non-conference game beginning at 7 p.m. The Lancers travel to UMass Dartmouth on Thursday for a non-conference tilt at 7 p.m.
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Release Courtesy of Framingham State Sports Information