WORCESTER, Mass. - Sophomore Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) recorded her first career hat trick on Wednesday evening as the Worcester State University field hockey team picked up a convincing 6-1 victory over Salem State in Little East Conference action at a chilly Coughlin Field.

With the win, the Lancers improve to 9-6 overall this season and 7-3 in the Little East. Salem State drops to 0-14 and 0-10 in conference play.

The Lancers jumped out to a fast start on the evening, as senior Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) opened the scoring just 22 seconds in, netting her 14th goal of the season. Hopkins picked up her first goal of the evening just 6:06 into the contest, and rookie Ann Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) tallied just over a minute later to put Worcester State ahead 3-0 not even seven and a half minutes in.

In the 20th minute, Salem State junior Casie Curtin (Wrentham, Mass.) cut into the Lancer lead by recording her fourth goal of the season. Sophomore Jillian Danton (Arlington, Mass.) was credited with an assist on the goal.

With just under six minutes left to play in the first half, sophomore Coley Hayes (Norwood, Mass.) took a feed from Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) and deposited her first career goal to extend the Lancer lead to 4-1 going into the break. 

Hopkins tallied a pair of second half insurance goals to help the Lancers secure the 6-1 victory. Senior Jess Wilding (Somerset, Mass.) assisted on Hopkins' second goal.

Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) was credited with the win for the Lancers in goal. Freshman Kaitlyn O'Shea (Ledgewood, N.J.) got the loss for Salem State despite nine saves. 

Next up for the Lancers, they'll look to win their second straight contest as they head on the road to face UMass Dartmouth at 11 a.m. The Vikins will start a three-game, season-ending home stand by hosting Framingham State on Saturday at 12 p.m.

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