Worcester, MA --- Senior Ally Valencia (Foxboro, MA) tallied one goal and two assists as Worcester State defeated Becker College 4-2 this evening in non-conference field hockey action at Coughlin Field.
Valencia started the night off early for the Lancers (2-4) when she was able to find the back of the cage off a rebound just 5:22 into the opening period.
Less than three minutes later WSU freshman Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, MA) recorded her first collegiate goal on a cross from the right side of the circle by Valencia.
The Hawks (0-6) were able to cut the lead in half when sophomore Brittany Cormier (Danbury, CT) corralled a loose ball off a deflection by the defense and put it between the pipes for her first goal of the season at 28:06 of the first stanza.
The Blue and Gold were able to answer less than two minutes later when freshman Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) was able to win the scrum in front of the net and notch her first career goal with just over five minutes to play in the period.
The Blue and Gold went into the half leading in shots 12-5, while Becker lead in penalty corners, 3-2.
Both defenses stiffened after the intermission with neither offense able to notch many scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the final period.
Becker, however, made it a one-goal game after sophomore Katherine Dimascio (Braintree, MA) sent a rocket on net off a great fed from Cormier during a penalty corner 9:34 into the second half.
Junior Lindsey McGeary (Foxboro, MA) though helped give Worcester State some breathing room as she unleashed a laser from five yards away off a great dish from Valencia with 5:41 remaining in regulation. McGeary's marker was just what she needed to become the 31st Lancer to join the 25 point club (12 goals - 2 assists - 26 points).
Senior Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) and sophomore Sydney Dionis (Shrewsbury, MA) both shared time in the net, playing one half each. They would both notch two saves apiece for WSU.
Junior net-minder Samantha-Jo Dilkes (Little Falls, NJ) played solid in net turning away 12 shots for the Hawks in the losing effort.
The Lancers ended the game leading in shots 24-12, while the Hawks led in penalty corners, 9-5.
Both teams return to action Saturday afternoon when Worcester State will entertain Salem State at 10 AM while Becker heads to New York to battle Wells at 3 PM.
Story by John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant