Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers bussed down to Bridgewater State for the first MASCAC game of the season to face off against the Bears in hopes of defending their title from last season. They will enter a challenging away stretch nearing ten days against four teams with one other MASCAC game matchup set against Westfield St.
The team is fresh off a 5-1 loss at UMass-Boston and eye a bounce-back game to start conference play on a good note.
FINAL: Lancers 0, Bridgewater State 1
The Lancers started the game hot with three shots in the first seventeen minutes of play. Unfortunately, they weren't able to capitalize off of the chances from sophomore midfielders Wilber Garcia (Bilbao, Spain) and defensemen Brendan Lower (Grafton, MA), along with junior utility player Mathieu Bayonne (Springfield. Mass). They ended up being outshot 9-8 in the half, one of those shots being netted by the Bears Ethan Mallett in the 34' to give his team the 1-0 lead.
The second half had a tumultuous start as junior Nate Lewos (Auburn, Mass.) drew a yellow card from the referee in the 49th minute. Shortly after the booking, Bridgewater St. were awarded two corner kicks in a row, the second chance saved by senior keeper Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.).
With 19 minutes left in regulation, Bears David Nelson was shown a yellow. Minutes later, Lancers senior Matthew Alzamora (Holden, Mass.) also saw yellow indicating the competitiveness of this conference game as the team picked up its second yellow of the night.
Bridgewater's goalie William Russell wasn't tested much by the Lancer offensive attack in the second half. Worcester was only able to get two shots, one from senior midfielder Manny Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.) early in the half with Mattieu Bayonne powering a late-game shot in the 89' to attempt a late-game miracle for the tie that was saved.
With the loss, the Lancers dropped to (0-2-2) (0-1) as the Bears record improved to (2-1-2)(1-0). Worcester State's next game will be away at UMass-Dartmouth with a 7 p.m. start.