Worcester, MA- With a 2-0 start and 37 goals already recorded on the season, the Worcester State Women's Lacrosse team is looking to extend their win ways to their first home game of the season. Today's game is also dedicated to supporting Ovarian Cancer Awareness and honoring the late Nicole Downs, a passionate WSU Lacrosse fan and sister to Head Coach Kelly Downs.
Did you know that 1 in 87 women are at risk of developing ovarian cancer in their lifetime? For more information on the signs and symptoms and to catch ovarian cancer early, please visit ovarian.org.
We are currently accepting donations for a Memorial Scholarship Fund in Nicole's honor at Marshfield High School, where she taught for 15 years. To find the link please go to WooStateLax on Instagram.
Final
Worcester State: 10
Southern Maine: 8
How it Happened:
Worcester State applied pressure early, with senior Abbie Wing (Griswold, CT) hitting the post just more than a minute of play. The Lancers controlled possession, clearing the ball several times and earning turnovers against Southern Maine. Junior Mckayla Fisher (Peabody, MA) played a key role in gaining draw controls, and junior Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA) put Worcester State on the board at 3:29. Southern Maine struggled early in the game with clean attempts. It led to a second score by Wing on a sophomore Kerry Brown (Billerica, MA) pass at 7:25. Southern responded with speed as Cierra Hill scored at 8:01 on a free position shot. The Lancers extended their lead at 10:23 with a second score by Wing. Southern Maine generated offense but was repeatedly denied by goalkeeper senior Olivia LaValle (Peabody, MA), who made key saves during the period. The first half ended with Worcester State in control and with a strong defensive position ending with the Lancers up 3-1.
Southern Maine got off to a strong beginning when Kiaya Gatchell scored at 2:22, and Katelyn D'Appolonia at 4:02 off a pass from Maddie Kinney. Worcester State answered quickly when senior Hannah Erickson (Dunstable, MA) scored at 4:46 on a pass from junior Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA). While Southern Maine had several scoring opportunities, Worcester's senior goalkeeper Olivia LaValle made big stops with key saves, including on shots from Eliza Pattershall and Kiaya Gatchell. Erickson scored again for Worcester on a man-up opportunity at 7:10, assisted by junior Abigail Vincent (Lakeville, MA). Southern Maine continued to press, with D'Appolonia scoring again at 11:34. Both teams suffered penalty problems, with green and yellow cards bringing play to a stop. The half concluded with Worcester in control after LaValle bursted from the cage to settle the Lancer defense, and the half ended with the Lancers up 5-4.
Worcester State struck first in the third quarter as senior Hannah Erickson (Dunstable, MA) scored assisted by senior Ashley Hurley (Feeding Hills, MA) at 4:10. Southern Maine responded at 7:16 as Eliza Pattershall scored on a free position shot. Cierra Hill scored another goal for Southern at 9:49 after taking possession of the draw control. The teams both struggled with penalties, as several green cards were issued and disrupted the flow of the quarter. Southern Maine generated some opportunities for shots, but Worcester's LaValle came up big, deflecting Elaina Hanselmann's, Katelyn D'Appolonia's, and Molly Black's shots. With the added pressure from the Huskies, Worcester had trouble clearing the ball, which led to turnovers and gave Southern Maine further chances. The third quarter ended in aggressive and high-intensity play with a tie 6-6 game.
Southern Maine began the quarter playing with a lot of aggressiveness on offense, but LaValle made big saves on attempts by Katelyn D'Appolonia, Cierra Hill, and Anna Byers. Hill eventually scored at 2:05. Molly Black also scored for Southern Maine at 6:58 off a man-up free position shot. Worcester State answered swiftly as Wing scored at 7:11. The pressure continued in Worcester's direction when junior Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY) scored two goals consecutively at 10:05 and 10:39, assisted by junior Shannon Donahue. Southern Maine was continuing to generate scoring chances, but LaValle was a brick wall in front of the net. Erickson ended the period for Worcester with a goal at 14:24, assisted by senior Ashley Hurley, ensuring that they were ahead. With a flurry of last possession attempts, the Huskies would attempt to extend the game but with a stalwart Lancer defense, Worcester State claimed their third win of the season.
LaValle would record 22 saves in the game while Erickson would lead the Lancers with 4 points in the game.
What's Next:
Worcester State (3-0, 0-0) returns to the road on March 5th when they travel to Western Connecticut for a 5 pm start.