Worcester, MA- On Saturday afternoon the Worcester State Women's Hockey team went on the road to New England College (NEC) hoping to complete the double game sweep after defeating the Pilgrims 2-1 in overtime on Worcester State's home ice yesterday evening. The Lancers captured a much-needed road victory when they defeated the Pilgrims by a score of 5-1.
Worcester State showed minimal fatigue from the overtime game as Sydney Vautour (Hamilton, Mass.) found the back of the net from Emily Pavoni (Granby, Mass.) as the Lady Lancers took a 1-0 lead during the furst period. Amber Lee (Fairlawn, NJ) proved strong in between the pipes as she prevented four decent NEC scoring opportunities. The Lancers went on their first power play with a little over 8 minutes to play but could not extend their lead heading into the first intermission.
As the next 20 minutes of play were set to begin, Worcester State led 1-0. Just as it looked like the Lancers were about to take a 2-0 lead, NEC goalie Amy Donnelly (Taunton, Mass.) made three excellent saves in a row to preserve the single goal difference. After NEC killed a Worcester State power play, they tried to tie up the game with a power play of their own, but were unsuccessful as Lee made a nice glove and diving save during the penalty kill. The Pilgrims would not stay off the scoreboard for long as Emily Lenzen (Littleton, Colo.) snapped a shot past Lee with 6:51 remaining in period two to tie the game 1-1. Just before the end of the period, the Lancers were able to go on the power play. However, they could not score before the greenhorn sounded, as the game remained 1-1 heading into the second intermission.
Heading into the third, and ultimately final period, the Lady Lancers tried to retake the lead, starting the last period of regulation on a power play. The NEC penalty kill was able to hold firm as they prevented a quick goal. Brandi Lee (Nashua, N.H.) broke away from the NEC defense as she scored a breakaway goal with 17:27 remaining to put the blue and gold up 2-1. A little before the nine-minute mark of the third period Amy Macglashing (Marlborough, Mass.) was able to extend the Worcester State led to 3-1. Clare Conway (Billerica, Mass.) was able to put the icing on the cake as she was able to increase her team's lead to 4-1, with her third goal in two games. With 20 seconds remaining Cassidhe Wozniak (Turners Falls, Mass) placed the 5th team goal of the game on the scoreboard for Worcester State. For the remainder of the game, the Lady Lancers would play strong defense to preserve a 5-1 victory.
Lee stopped 34 out of the 35 NEC shots on goal.
Worcester State (4-3) is back in action on Nov. 22 for a road contest against Curry College with puck drop at 7:00. New England College (2-5-1) will be back on their home ice as they face Southern Maine on Dec. 2 at 6:00.