Holden, MA --- Highlighted by the win at third singles for the deciding point by freshman Natalie Paul (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy), Worcester State defeated Wentworth, 5-4, this afternoon at Wachusett High School.
Today's game was the conclusion of a contest played on Tuesday, September 2 that was suspended due to lighting. The contest was knotted at 1-1 with the outcome of first doubles nearly determined before a storm spoiled the season opener for the Blue and Gold.
To win the contest, the Lancers (3-0) took four of six matchups during singles play and the 8-3 victory at second doubles by junior Megan Shepard (Middletown, CT) and sophomore Shelby Jankins (W. Brookfield, MA).
The Leopards (1-4) originally staked the early 2-1 advantage when junior Nicole Mooney (Waterford, CT) and classmate Laura Boyd (Woodstock, VT) took the third-seeded triumph, 8-5, and junior Caitlin Corcoran (Brockton, MA) teamed with teammate Nicole McCoglan (Tewksbury, MA) for the 9-7 point at first doubles.
Worcester State then followed with three consecutive straight set victories to take over the 4-2 contest score with freshman Faina Volf (Sharon, MA) at fourth singles, Shepard as the fifth seed and junior Cassandra Goncalves (Ludlow, MA) at sixth singles.
Wentworth, however, posted a pair of come-from-behind wins during solo play to equal up the match score at 4-4. Corcoran dispatched Jankins at first singles, 6-7 (5-7), 6-1 and 6-4 before McColgan followed with the 5-7, 6-4 and 6-4 win at second singles.
That set the stage for the Paul to record the clinching point with her 4-6, 7-6 (7-2) and 6-3 triumph at third singles over freshman Caitlyn Briggs (Lee, MA) to seal the deal for the Lancers.
Both squads will play conference opponents over the weekend. Worcester State opens Little East play with a 1 o'clock home meeting with UMass-Boston while the Leopards entertain Gordon in a Commonwealth Coast matchup starting at 12 PM.
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