Worcester, MA- In a mid-week late evening battle Worcester State Lacrosse (7-6, 2-0) would aim to keep their undefeated conference season alive as they headed to Westfield to take on the Westfield State Owls (8-6, 3-0).The Owls were just tabbed as regionally ranked in the most recent NCAA regional rankings coming into this contest. In a game that could hold significant postseason seeding consequences, the Lancers aimed to grab an early bid at the top spot in the conference.
Final
Worcester State: 7
Westfield State: 16
How it Happened:
Worcester State and Westfield State kicked off to a quick start with the Owls grabbing the first draw control but then immediately turning the ball over to the Lancers, but Westfield would regain possession off a failed clear attempt and make quick work of the action grabbing the opening goal just two minutes into the game. They would follow it up with goal number two just around 40 seconds later to jump out to an early 2-0 lead. The game would turn into a back and forth battle for the following three minutes until Westfield snuck in goal three forcing a timeout by Worcester State. The Lancers would win the draw coming out of the timeout and attempt to answer back with a goal of their own from sophomore Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY), but the Owls goaltender was up to the challenge and knocked the shot away, charging downfield for goal number four and returning quickly with number five. Westfield would claim an 8-0 lead before the first quarter would wrap.
The second quarter would see the first goals of the day for the Lancers as the duo of Witkowski, assisted by junior Ashley Hurley (Feeding Hills, NY), and sophomore Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA) would grab some early quarter action for Worcester. Halfway through the second would see Worcester still down 12-2, as each team battled it up and down the field until some final minute flurry of action would see Westfield knock in two additional goals, while the Lancers sophomore Mckayla Fisher (Peabody, MA) would claim the free position goal for number three on the evening. The game would sit at 14-3 as both teams headed into the halftime break.
The second half would trend more Worcester's way as the Lancers attempted to mount their comeback and sneak one past their regional ranked foe, as the Lancers defense held Westfield to only two goals in the third quarter and were attacking in a more aggressive and determined style. The fourth quarter would really see the Lancers take off, as they grabbed goals four and five within minutes of each other, with Fisher claiming both goals to nab the hat trick in the game. With just over two minutes left sophomore Abigail Vincent (Lakeville, MA) would cut into the Owls lead with goal number six as Hurley rocked in number seven with 30 seconds to go, but with time dwindled down, Worcester was prevented from continuing their offensive rally, falling to the Owls 16-7.
Junior Olivia LaValle would make 10 saves in the loss while Fisher and Hurley each ended the night with three points apiece.
What's Next:
As the final whistle blew, Worcester moved to (7-7, 2-1) on the season and will next take on Salem State on Saturday, April 20th, at noon in a game being played in honor of this year's senior class.