Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Soccer team had their last away game of their five away game stretch Thursday night against the Hawks at Roger Williams University. They looked to get their first out of conference win on the road but came up just shy of successful after a near comeback win.
The game opened up in the Hawks favor as a mess in the box found its way to the back of the net by Sophie Scerbin (Westborough, MA) in the third minute. The Lancers held possession and switched the field well through the defense. Roger Williams capitalized on another ball in their offensive third, and Scerbin scored her second of the night unassisted. Right before the end of the first half, a foul just outside the box allowed Sofie Morris (Bristol, RI) to send a ball to the top corner off a free kick to put the score up 3-0 for Roger Williams.
The second half saw a new team as Worcester State came out with a better level of energy and urgency. Sophomore Erin Condon (East Bridgewater, MA) sent a ball on the ground through two Hawks defenders which first year Ava Lemanski (Clinton, MA) ran onto to score the first for the Lancers six minutes in. Just three minutes later centerback senior Riley Patenaude (Pepperell, MA) sent a ball that Roger Williams defender misjudged and let bounce over her, allowing Lemanski to run onto it again and put it behind the keeper for her second of the game. A questionable penalty kick was called against the Lancers which put Roger Williams up 4-2. Worcester was not letting down and continued fighting with multiple opportunities in their final third. Freshman keeper Ella Gumienny (Douglas, MA) had incredible saves keeping the Lancers in the game. Roger Williams' Ariana Montero (Milford, CT) assisted Morris' third goal in the last five minutes for the Hawks. Although Worcester competed better in the second half, it was not enough to completely comeback, but puts them in a good place momentum wise for Saturday's match.
The Lancers look ahead to a conference game on Saturday against Framingham at home on John Coughlin field at noon, which is also their Rosen Cancer Awareness Pink Game.