Salem, MA-- The Worcester State defeated the Vikings of Salem State, 4-3, Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The win improves Worcester State's record to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Little East Conference.  The loss drops Salem State to 3-2 overall and 0-3 in the Little East Conference.

The Lancers were led by senior Samantha Janda (Sterling, MA) who tallied a hat-trick in the final minutes of the first half. Janda would tie the score 1-1 with her first goal coming with just under three minutes remaining in the half. With only a minute off the clock Janda would give Worcester State the lead 2-1 on a pass from senior Sarah Cozzens (Lancaster, MA). Janda would score her third goal of the game off another assist from Cozzens  just twenty seconds later to give the Lancers a 3-1 lead heading into halftime.   

Worcester State would add one more marker that proved to be the game winner 10 minutes into the second half when Cozzens scored a goal off a pass from senior Haley Erickson (Saugus, MA).

The Vikings made the most of their opportunities scoring three goals on just five shots on net.  Junior Courtney Lynch(North Andover, MA) would open up the scoring giving Salem their only lead of the day when she found the back of the net off a feed from classmate Kristin Santanello (Swampscott, MA). 

Salem State's comeback ran out of time as they scored two more goals to make the final score 4-3 on goals by junior Eryn Shea (Spencer, MA), and Kaitlyn Aronian (Chelmsford, MA).

In the victory, Janda and Cozzens both went over the 50 point mark for their careers. Janda now has 19 goals and 12 helpers while Cozzens has 21 tallies and eight dishes.

The Lancers continue LEC play with UMass Dartmouth at home on Wednesday at 7 o'clock.

Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information