Worcester, MA --- Worcester State junior Brianne Beckman (Lakeville, MA) netted the game-winning goal in the 19th minute to help propel the top-seeded Lancers to a 2-1 triumph over #4 Fitchburg State in the MASCAC Women's Soccer Tournament Semifinals at Coughlin Field this evening.
 
The Blue and Gold (13-4-1) move on to play second-seeded Westfield State on Saturday at 4:30 PM in the MASCAC Championship, as the Owls defeated #3 Bridgewater State 3-0 earlier this evening. 
 
With the defeat, Fitchburg State's campaign comes to an end as they finish with a 10-6-2 record. 
 
WSU opened up the scoring in the 10th minute when sophomore Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA) fed a cross from the left side of the net where senior Danielle Clifford (Attleboro, MA) buried the shot for her team-high seventh marker of the season.
 
Beckman's goal came nine minutes later when she found the ball during a scramble in the box and kicked it in for her fifth goal of the season, giving the Lancers the early 2-0 lead.
 
Fitchburg State's scoring play came in the 29th minute when fourth-year Erica Graves (Feeding Hills, MA) launched a shot from 25-yards out that trickled past senior goalkeeper Angieszaka Sychtysz (Warren, MA) cutting the deficit in half.
 
With momentum on their side the Falcons had another great opportunity to score following a corner kick, but the attempt from senior Carissa Kennedy (Somerset, MA) was kicked out of harms way for a team save by fourth-year Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA).
 
Worcester State had a golden chance to net an insurance goal at the tail end of the opening frame on a breakaway by senior Sarah Rafferty (Uxbridge, MA) after a long pass from Scott, but her bid hit the crossbar.
 
The second half was uneventful as the Lancers held a 7-0 advantage in shots as the backs did a tremendous job of holding the visitors on their own side of the 50-yardline.
 
Sychtysz made three saves for the Lancers while Fitchburg State sophomore net minder Jillian Kirouac (Leominster, MA) turned aside seven shots in the loss. 
 
The Lancers had the 16-5 lead in shots and the upper hand in corners (5-2).
 
With her marker tonight, Clifford is now tied with Trisha Cushing (1998-01) for fourth on WSU's all-time scoring list with 67 points in her outstanding career.
 
 
Release by Jim Sarkisian – Sports Information Intern