Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Field Hockey team (5-9, 4-3) takes on top seeded Fitchburg State today in a bid to gain more ground in the conference seeding, where they currently sit in third. Today's game is also played in honor of the senior class that includes team leading forward #3 Natalya Morin (Barre, MA), dominant midfielder #10 Madison Avilla (Westport, MA) and star keeper #90 Madison Ferrara (Somerset, MA).

Final- 2OT (Shootout 2-1)

Worcester State: 2

Fitchburg State: 1

How it Happened:

The opening half of action between the Falcons and Lancers was evenly matched battle. While the Falcons initially had the advantage in corners in the first quarter, Worcester's defense kept their composure or forced each and every opportunity aside and began to work their way down the field. They would claim some chances of their own but the Falcons were equally staunch in their defensive pressure. Ferrara would record six saves in the opening 30 minutes of action while the Falcons Jenna Morse would come away with three as each program looked for the needed edge to get ahead. 

The third quarter would find more of the same for the first half before the Falcons were able to collect their offensive tactics during a corner and score the opening goal of the game as senior Autumn Tibbetts (Lunenburg, MA) redirected a pass from first year Sam Jones (Uxbridge, MA). Worcester would attempt to answer back in the quarter but would be unable to find the offensive path necessary. The fourth quarter would start with a flurry of activity from Worcester as they aimed to tie up the match and almost looked to do three minutes in as first year Rihanna Morin (Burrillville, RI) and junior Kaelin Coleman (Attleboro, MA)  combined for three attempts but the final opportunity would travel wide of the cage and leave Worcester down 1-0. It would take until the final 30 seconds of regulation for Worcester to find the needed tying goal as Avilla would send a perfect insert to junior Maggie Nailor (Dartmouth, MA), who would lay down the perfect strike to send it past Morse to send the game to OT.

The first over time period would see each team get some great looks at the cage but come up empty, as would the second overtime which would force the first shootout in the senior squads career on Coughlin Field. The first five shooters would come away blocked by Ferrara and Morse, but the second round would be more fruitful as Avilla would score first, Falcons Jones would tie it up in shootout but sophomore Sierra Bursch (Lunenburg, MA) would be calm and composed to send it the second in the sudden death round and as Ferrara would knock away the Falcons last attempt to come away with victory.

Ferrara would end the afternoon with 11 saves while Morse would wrap up her showing with 15 in the epic battle finish.

What's Next:

The Lancers (6-9, 5-3) will remain at home for their next match up in the MASCAC 2023 Championship rematch battle versus Framingham State on Wednesday October 30th at 4:30pm.