Worcester, MA --- A late goal by Anna Maria freshman Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, MA/South) proved to be the game winner as the AMCATS used a pair of second-half markers to defeat the Lancers, 2-1, in non-conference field hockey action at Coughlin Field this evening.
The AMCATS (3-3) ended a six-year drought against the Lancers (1-2) as their last victory was a 5-1 season opening win in 2005.
After a slow start by both squads, Anna Maria senior Marybeth McClune (Worcester, MA) gave the visitors their first scoring opportunity when she let loose a laser beam from ten yards away, only to be denied by senior keeper Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) at the 7:10 mark.
Worcester State got their best scoring chance late with under a minute to play off a corner served in by sophomore Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) to senior Ally Valencia (Foxboro, MA) who fired a rocket into the back of the cage, but the attempt was waved off by the official's for being six inches outside of the striking circle.
Mullen had a stellar first half stopping all three shots she saw between the pipes for the Blue and Gold.
The Crimson and Gray went into intermission leading in shots (6-3) and both teams were even in penalty corners (4-4).
The Lancers opened the second half with another great scoring opportunity when Valencia blasted another missile toward net, but it would be turned aside by AMCAT freshman net minder Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH).
After being denied by Mullen on numerous occasions throughout the second half, Anna Maria finally got on the board when McClune found the back of the cage poking the ball home off of a save that bounced back to her at 52:58.
Looking for a spark, Lancer first-year head coach Chris Pothier pulled his goalie in favor of an extra attacker on the field with 3:31 remaining in the contest. But the AMCATS immediately forced the Blue and Gold to play defense after the substitution.
Lapierre helped the AMCATS take full advantage of this opportunity, poking home what proved to be the game-winner off a redirected defensive save by WSU senior Torey Kuchachik (Ashland, MA) after sophomore Nichole Lowe (Saugus, MA) sent a shot on net from five yards away.
The Lancers wouldn't quit and ended Breen's shutout bid when junior Lindsey McGeary (Foxboro, MA) scored her first goal of the season off a wild scramble for the ball following defensive save by Anna Maria junior Kelsey Donnelly (Lakeville, MA) following a penalty corner with no time remaining on the clock.
Mullen totaled seven saves for the Blue and Gold while Breen added five for Anna Maria.
Both squads finished the contest with two defensive stops apiece. In addition to Kuchachik's, junior Katherine Bitters (Greenfield, MA) tallied one just before the end of the opening stanza and second-year Nicole Morrison (Rutland, MA) helped end a Worcester State rally early on.
The AMCATS outshot the Lancers, 16-10 (11-8 on goal), as Worcester State led in penalty corners, 10-7.
WSU will next travel to Plymouth State in a Little East match-up on Saturday at high noon.
This weekend Anna Maria heads to New York for a Saturday non-conference battle against Wells at 4 PM before they end the trip with a 1 o'clock trip to Elmira.