WORCESTER, Mass. - A fourth quarter assist from Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) made the senior Worcester State University field hockey's all-time leading scorer, as the Lancers defeated Castleton University 5-0 in Little East Conference action Tuesday night at Coughlin Field.
With the win, the Lancers improve to 12-2 overall on the season and stay perfect at 8-0 in the Little East. Castleton drops to 7-6 and 5-3 in the LEC.
Antonelli's late assist gave her 138 points in her Worcester State career, moving her past her former teammate Michaila Parent, who set the previous mark of 137 last season.
Neither team found the back of the net in the first quarter, but the Lancers pounced early in the second quarter. Just 1:51 into the frame, junior Coley Hayes (Norwood, Mass.) scored her sixth goal of the season off a penalty corner to put the Lancers ahead 1-0. Senior Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) was credited with an assist on the goal.
Antonelli moved into a tie for the program's point lead just under six minutes later, as Hopkins fed a pass into the middle that Antonelli slyly chipped over the goalkeeper to extend Worcester State's lead to 2-0.
Late in the third quarter, Hopkins found the back of the net for her 18th goal of the season. The senior caught the Castleton goalkeeper off guard as she turned an fired a quick shot toward the cage from the top of the arc that found its way into the bottom corner of the net. Sarah Duff (Warren, Mass.) assisted on the goal.
Five minutes into the fourth quarter, senior Sophia Monopoli (Worcester, Mass.) scored a rebound goal off a penalty corner to extend the lead to 4-0. Just over four minutes later, Hopkins scored her second goal of the game, on which Antonelli recorded her milestone assist. Antonelli fed a long pass up from the middle to Hopkins, who took one touch before firing it into the cage to give the game its final score of 5-0.
Worcester State goalkeeper Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) recorded the shutout win for the Lancers, but did not have to make a save in the victory. Worcester State held a dominant 20-1 advantage in shots, including 15-0 on target.
The Lancers will be back in action on Thursday for a 4 p.m. meeting with crosstown rival WPI at Coughlin Field.
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