Worcester, MA --- This evening second seeded Worcester State
will host #3 Mass College of Liberal Arts in the MASCAC Semifinals
at Coughlin Field. The game will feature a live video feed on
http://www.mascac.tv and start at 7 PM.
The Lancers finished out their regular season at 9-5-3 and 4-0-3
in MASCAC play. The squad is paced by sophomore forward
Danielle Clifford who has a team-leading 25 points
(nine goals-seven assists) while junior midfielder Sarah
Connors has added seven goals with an assist. Senior
midfielder Shannon Feeley has also had a strong
season with five goals and two assists.
Connors may lead the group with two game-winning tallies, but six
teammates have contributed to six match-clinchers. Cliffords point
total is also fourth best in the MASCAC.
One problem Worcester State has had this season is finishing at
the other end of the field. Midway through their conference slate
the Lancers drew a pair of scoreless ties in double overtime to
Bridgewater State and Westfield State before they tied again at
Framingham State in a 1-1 2OT battle. Against the Rams, WSC had a
frustrating evening as they outshot their opponent 19-13.
"Its always important to finish your chances no matter who you are
playing," said second-year head coach Kevin
Cumberbatch. "This will be much more important come
tomorrow due to the magnitude of the game. All you can do is work
hard as you can everyday in practice and hope you can seize the
opportunities as they come."
Junior keeper Rachael Armenti has also had a
strong season between the pipes for the Blue and Gold. Armenti is
second in the conference in save percentage (.892), third in goals
against average (0.86) and she has a MASCAC best seven shutouts
which have included three against MASCAC opponents. In her last
seven games Armenti has only allowed one goal.
"Rachel is playing with a great deal of confidence right now,"
said Cumberbatch. "I think the biggest thing has been the trust
between her and the back four (defenders). Her hard work and
fearless play has paid dividends this season."
MCLA comes into the contest with a 13-4 record as they finished their conference slate at 5-2. The Trailblazers enter their first ever MASCAC tournament ready to prove that they can contend after they posted seven straight losing seasons from 2000-06. MCLA did post winning records last season (12-6) and in 2007 (9-7-3), but had three wins in league play and failed to qualify for the conference tournament.
"Deb and the girls have done a great job of bringing that
program along," said Cumberbatch. They can't be overlooked and hold
a great deal of my respect. I dont believe in favorites in this
match up. We are both very good teams and have a lot to prove."
The visitors are propelled by junior Jess
Tietgens who leads the MASCAC in points (48) and goals
(22) while she is tied for first with five game-winning goals.
Sophomore keeper Jen Wehner also posses a
challenge in the net her save percentage (.932) is third-best in
the NCAA Division III while she is second in the MASCAC in saves.
Teitgen's average points per game are also 16th (2.82) in DIII.
The Lancers defense should present a problem for the Trailblazers.
As they have posted a conference second-best goals against average
of 0.74 led by a unit that is headed up by senior Stephanie
Demake and junior Nikki Scott.
"The center backs are the heart of the defense," said Cumberbatch.
"If they are not communicating and staying organized it causes
major problems. The reason they are both so successful and crucial
to our team is because they do a phenominal job of accomplishing
those two tasks."
Scott also proved to be a factor in their late September matchup
against MCLA during the regular season. Down 1-0 at the half, Scott
stepped up for the Lancers and netted a pair of goals to give WSC
the hard earned 2-1 triumph.
The winner of tonights game advances to face either top-seed
Westfield State or #4 Bridgewater State who also play this evening
at 7 PM in Westfield. The Owls were the regular season champions
and won the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament last year. The
Bears look for revenge after they were ousted in the MASCAC final
3-0 last season.
"That (matchup) is going to be a great game," said Cumberbatch.
"Those are two very good teams and I can't wait to see the
outcome."
Worcester State has won four out of the last five MASCAC crowns
and has an 8-4 all-time record of in tournament play since it began
in 2000.