Worcester, MA --- Junior Julie O'Rourke's (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) tally at 49:43 proved to be the difference as Worcester State defeated Salem State, 1-0, in Little East Conference field hockey action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

With the win the Lancers improve their record to 6-3 (2-1 LEC) while the Vikings fall to 1-7 and 0-3 in league action.

After a scoreless opening frame, freshman Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, MA) had a chance to score the go-ahead marker early on in the second, but her penalty stroke to the top left side of the cage was rejected by sophomore keeper Carolyn Woodin (Arlington, MA).

Three minutes later, Salem State junior Kelsey Russell (Arlington, MA) had a good look on the left side of the apron, but her attempt on the right side of the net was stopped on the ground by junior Alli Baker (Somerset, MA) who registered a key defensive save to keep the contest scoreless.

The effort set the stage for O'Rourke to net her team-best seventh of the campaign midway through the stanza.

Following a strong hit by junior Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, MA) into the circle, classmate Taylor Ledwith (Springfield, MA/Cathedral) fired one in front of the cage and O'Rourke was right there to tip in the loose ball for her 20th career tally.

Junior Megan Ripke (Southwick, MA) had a clean look on the left side six minutes later, however, she was stonewalled by Woodin and the ricochet back to Ledwith's attempt was halted along the goal line by junior Taylor Nawn (Auburn, MA).

Following a long attempt that sailed to the left by Salem State sophomore Natalie Bourne (Tewksbury, MA), the Lancers did not allow another shot by Salem State in the final 10 minutes of regulation.

Worcester State failed to take advantage of five penalty corners in the opening frame. Late in the first period, Sutherland sent a cross to sophomore Meghan Pini (Natick, MA) on the right side of the net at the end of a corner try, but Nawn was right there to reject the ball out of harm's way.

With 15 minutes off the clock in the first period, SSU junior Michaela Keogh's (Reading, MA) open look on the right side of the circle was turned aside by freshman net minder Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, MA).  

Woodin stopped 13 of the 14 shots she saw between the pipes while Salemme was only called upon to make one save in her second-consecutive shutout. Worcester State led in shots (23-5) and corners (12-4).

Both squads resume their respective LEC slates at the beginning of next week. Worcester State takes on UMass Dartmouth at 7 o'clock as Salem State entertains Southern Maine in a match-up starting at 4 PM.