Western Connecticut 2, Worcester State 1
Worcester, MA --- Junior Jennifer Duran (Uncasville, CT) registered the go-ahead score for Western Connecticut as the Colonials defeated Worcester State, 2-1, in non-conference women's soccer action this evening at Coughlin Stadium. With win WSCU improves to 6-6 while the Lancers even out to 5-5.
Worcester State got things going early on in the game in the fourth minute when senior Shannon Feeley (W. Springfield, MA) made a pass to sophomore Danielle Clifford (Attleboro, MA) who hit the left post and it ricocheted into the net for her team-leading fifth marker of the season.
After the goal was scored, Western Connecticut went on the offensive over the remainder of the opening stanza as the visitors would outshoot WSC 14-2. Three of the five shots in the first 20 minutes of the period were shots on goal, but they were too high for a play to be made. It was a busy half for junior keeper Rachael Armenti (W. Boylston, MA) as she stopped six of the seven shots that she saw on net.
In the 35th minute the Colonials would draw out Armenti from between the pipes and for 10 seconds neither team could gain possession of the ball. That's when senior Kelli Veras (Trumbull, CT) found the loose ball and promptly knotted the score, 1-1.
With momentum on their side Western Connecticut fired off three quick shots within the first nine minutes of the second stanza as they were successful on the third attempt when senior Nicole Sieber (Newton, CT) dished a pass to Duran for the go-ahead tally in the 57th minute.
Worcester State then went on the attack as they kept possession of the ball for the rest of the game. They had two great chances to tie the score, but they were denied each time. WSC held a narrow 5-4 edge in shots in the last frame.
In the 62nd minute, the Lancers tried to take advantage of one of their four corner kicks. Junior Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA) headed the ensuing pass, but her attempt went to the left of the open net. With 12 minutes remaining in the game, Worcester State again had a great opportunity when junior Sarah Connors (Gardner, MA) made a nice cross to freshman Brianna Beckman (Lakeville, MA), but Beckman's attempt was off the mark and to the left.
The Lancer defense only allowed one more shot by WSCU for last 33 minutes of the contest.
Western Connecticut held a total 18-7 advantage in shots, while WSC held a 5-3 lead in corners.
Armenti collected eight saves in the net for Worcester State while her counterpart, sophomore Molly Miller (Middlebury, CT), was only called upon to make one stop for the visitors.
Both teams will play conference opponents on the road on Saturday. Worcester State ventures across I-290 and down 495 to face off against Bridgewater State at noon while Western Connecticut heads to UMass Boston for a 1 PM kickoff.