Worcester, MA- In the opening round of the MASCAC Tournament the #5 seed Worcester State Lancers will journey to the #4 seeded Fitchburg State Falcons. The Lancers and Falcons have split on the season with each team taking the away win, boding solid odds for Worcester who not only has the most recent win over Fitchburg but the 4-3 road win on January 30th. 

Final

Worcester State: 1

Fitchburg State: 4

How it Happened:

The intense matchup between the 4 and 5 seed would jump out to a quick start for the Falcons as they tapped in the first goal under five minutes into the opening action off an early Worcester penalty. The Lancers would not allow for this goal to set the tone of the game though as they buckled down. Worcester would find their own chances at success in the first with power play chances but were unable to find the equalizer in the action. The Falcons would grab an extender goal before the close of the first to take a 2-0 lead into intermission. 

The flow would stay with Fitchburg in the second as they quickly grabbed goal number three. Worcester would find their offensive ignition late in the second as first year Cam Quigley (Quincy, MA) would rocket in a shot from senior Christian Phinney (Draper, UT) and sophomore Stirling Nash (Seattle, WA) for a tri class combination goal. Worcester would aim to cut further into the lead but time would run out in the second, pushing the endeavour to the third.

The Lancers and Falcons would take the battle to third with shots flying on both sides pushing each defense to the limit. Nearly halfway through regulation in the third, Fitchburg would notch their fourth of the night and put the final minute pressure on Worcester. The Lancers would give it their all to advance to the semifinals but even after a 23 save performance from senior Wyatt Friedlander (Lake Placid, NY), Worcester would be unable to eat into the Falcons 4-1 lead.