Alli Baker and Ryan Kinsella Receive Player of the Week Accolades

WORCESTER, Mass. – Two Worcester State University student-athletes were recognized with player of the week accolades for the week of 9/28-10/3, as named by the Massachusetts State Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Little East Conference (LEC).

Field Hockey:

Junior defender, Alli Baker (Somerset, Mass.) was awarded the Defensive Player of the Week as named by the LEC Monday afternoon in recognition of her skills in the backend this past week.

“Baker led our defensive effort this past week with a pair of defensive saves against UMass Dartmouth and several caused turnovers versus Eastern Connecticut,” said head coach Kim Cosenza.

Baker helped lead the Lancers to a 1-1 slate, playing a key role in the backline. Despite falling 4-2, she made a game-high three defensive saves against UMass Dartmouth on Sept. 29. She then added in another huge save on Oct. 3 against Eastern Connecticut State University, helping to seal a 3-2 win for the blue and gold.

“Baker has proven to be a reliable player in our backfield,” said Cosenza. “She is consistently strong game in and game out. Coming off of a major injury in the spring, she has worked to get stronger both in the weight room and on the field and it shows.”

Baker now shares the LEC statistical lead with five defensive saves on the season.

“It has been a pleasure to watch Baker improve on the field and become the confident, poised defender that she is.”

Men’s Soccer:

Freshman midfielder, Ryan Kinsella (Wilmington, Mass.) was named the men’s soccer Rookie of the Week by the MASCAC Monday afternoon for his stellar performance in the teams’ wins over Becker College and Fitchburg State.

This week Kinsella tallied seven points on three goals and an assist. He debuted his first career-goal along with another goal and assist in the 7-0 win over Becker. Kinsella then added another goal in the 2-0 win over Fitchburg State.

“Ryan is a great player as he proved himself to be this past week,” said head coach Jason Willis. “He will surely be a big part of the soccer program for the next four years.”

Kinsella currently holds a .500 shot percentage and a .833 shot on goal percentage.

MASCAC Weekly Honor Roll

Senior volleyball student-athlete, Jennifer Cabral (Swansea, Mass.), averaged 10 kills per game and 3.08 digs per set in a 0-3 week for the Lancers. She had 10 kills and five digs in the 3-0 setback to MASCAC opponent, Bridgewater State, while recording two double-doubles on the road this past weekend. She had 10 kills and 18 digs in the 3-1 loss to Regis College (Mass.) and 10 kills with 17 digs in the 3-2 setback to Mount Holyoke College.

Men’s soccer player, Andre Ipojuca (Saugus, Mass.) totaled seven points on three goals and an assist in a 2-0 week for the Lancers. He recorded two goals in the 7-0 win over Becker College and then added another goal and assist in the 2-0 win over Fitchburg State.

Women’s soccer player, Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, Mass.) netted the game-winning goal in the 78^th minute to lead the Lancers to a 1-0 triumph over Fitchburg State in Saturday’s MASCAC game.

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