Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Field Hockey (1-6, 1-1) looks to continue their winning ways this afternoon as they take on the Fitchburg State Falcons in a road conference amctch-up. Worcester is coming off two nail biting over time finishes that saw them drop one to Westfield but grab their first conference win of the season last Friday as they bested Bridgewater State 3-2. Today, the Lancers aim to come away with a decisive win, without the use of overtime action.
Final
Worcester State: 0
Fitchburg State: 3
How it Happened:
The opening quarter of action would see the Falcons on the attack claiming an 8-1 shot advantage in the opening action. Worcester would hold off their aggressive assault for most of the first quarter before a final second penalty corner would provide the Falcons an early 1-0 lead after a defensive save by first year Madeline Barry (South Plainfield, NJ) attempted to keep the game scoreless to close out the opening 15 minutes.
The second quarter would see the lancers more on the offensive and putting the pressure on the Falcons, but their numerous offensive attempts were unable to be converted in the needed tying goal. Another late corner by the Falcons would put the lancer defense on high alert, but a foul on Fitchburg would see the clock ultimately run out on the chance and a 1-0 game move into the halftime break. Worcester would outshoot the Falcons in the second quarter with a 3-1 edge, but Worcester would look to cut down on the fouls in the circle in the second half as the Falcons recorded 11 corners to the Lancers three attempts.
The opening of the third quarter would see each team battling across the pitch, but five minutes in would see the Falcons grab their second goal of the season of a quick reaction play from a foul to extend their lead. Worcester was not aiming to back down though, grabbing a corner not two minutes later and taking a shot aiming to cut into the lead, alas the attempt was just wide of the cage seeing the Lancers still down 2-0. In the final moments of the third quarter, the Falcons would again connect for a well placed shot, sneaking the attempt past senior Madison Ferrara (Somerset, MA) to take the 3-0 lead.
Worcester would go hard in the fourth quarter in their bid to prevent the shut out and eat into the lead but the Falcons defense was not letting up any gaps, keeping Worcester off the board and ending the day with the 3-0 win.
Ferrara would end the day with eight saves while Madison Salvadorenos (Lunenburg, MA) would lead the Lancers with three shots on goal in the game.
What's Next:
The Lancers (1-7, 1-2) are quick to jump back in with their second of three away games this week, this time traveling to the University of Southern Maine for a Thursday night matchup with their former Little East Rivals.