Worcester State 2, MCLA 1
Worcester, MA --- Junior Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA) notched two second-half goals to help lead Worcester State as they defeated MCLA this afternoon, 2-1, in MASCAC women's soccer action. Both teams records now stand at 5-3 overall as the Lancers improve to 2-0 in the conference while the Trailblazers even out to 1-1.
The game opened with a pair of out of the ordinary off sides calls that nullified a goal scored for each team within the game's first 15 minutes.
In the sixth minute sophomore Karen Feeley (W. Springfield, MA) headed a shot off a corner from junior Sarah Connors (Gardner, MA), but the play was whistled dead after the goal went into the net. In the 13th minute, freshman Lindsay Barbolla (Greenwich, NY) hit a 30-yard shot that hit the top of the crossbar and as junior Jess Tietgens (Stamford, VT) was about to knock home the rebound, but another whistle stopped her dead in her tracks.
MCLA finally broke a scoreless game as Tietgen's found the back of the net in the 21st minute for her MASCAC-leading ninth goal of the season.
Worcester State continued to tighten up the screws on the Trailblazer defense for the remainder of the period as Connors fired away three attempts, but they were each scooped up by sophomore Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY).
The Lancers came out onto the field for the second stanza with relentless pressure as they outshot the visitors 5-3 for the half's first 15 minutes. After a corner attempt, WSC knotted the score on a goal by Scott as she took a feed from senior Stephanie Demake (Auburn, MA) in the 64th minute in front of the net.
Worcester State continued to keep the ball on MCLA's side of the field and after Wehner deflected three more shots, Scott scored the go-ahead tally in the games 79th minute as sophomore Danielle Clifford (Attleboro, MA) added an assist on the play.
The Trailblazers stormed back as they tried several times to equalize the score on attempts by Barbolla and senior Jade Prickett (Westhampton, MA), but both attempts were saved by junior keeper Rachael Armenti (W. Boylston, MA).
WSC held a 22-9 advantage in shots which included a 14-6 edge in the final period. The Lancers also held a 4-3 lead in corner kicks as well.
Wehner notched a game-high 11 saves while Armenti collected four stops for Worcester State.
Worcester State entertains Keene State on Wednesday at 7 PM while MCLA heads to Mount Holyoke on Tuesday at 4:30.