Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, MA) and senior Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA) both potted markers for the Worcester State as they defeated city rival Clark, 2-1, this afternoon in non-conference women's soccer action.
After much back and forth action to start off the contest, junior Cassie Giardina (Pittsfield, MA) helped jump start the Lancer offense with a middle cross to Gonet, who connected from the right side of the box and slipped the ball past the keeper in the 16th minute.
The Cougars (2-3) had a great opportunity to equalize the contest with eight minutes left to play in the opening period. Senior Emma Lynch (Pawtucket, RI) played in a ball following a corner to junior Taylor Johnson (Gales Ferry, CT), but WSU keeper Jillian Witkowski (Leicester, MA) was right there snatch up the ball and prevent further damage.
Worcester State (2-3) used the shift in momentum to take over the 2-0 advantage at the intermission. Macomber darted past the defense and netted the unassisted tally for her third of the campaign in the 40th minute.
Following the break, Clark cut into the lead for the 2-1 score just 2:47 into the second period by taking advantage of a free kick near the right corner. Senior Jenna Zarou (Garden City, NJ) lofted a ball in front of the net to an open Lynch who headed the ball past the back line for her first of the year.
The Blue and Gold had their chances to net the go-ahead marker during the remainder of the second stanza, but couldn't finish.
Their best chance came near the 10 minute mark when junior Alyssa Sawyer (W. Springfield, MA) fed Macomber, who passed it to an open freshman Kendal Bergenholtz (Grafton, MA), but sophomore Gabby Paolini (N. Potomac, MD) gathered the ball for the save.
The Cougars also had an opportunity in the closing minutes as junior Charlotte Mays (Melrose, MA) tried to boot a long ball from 25-yards away, however, Witkowski made a great read and stopped the ball in its tracks.
The Lancers finished with the 21-7 edge in shots (10-3 on goal) while both squads were tied up 6-6 in corners. Witkowski turned aside two shots for the Blue and Gold while Paolini made eight saves for Clark.
Gonet's second tally of the season put her within five points of cracking the top 10 on WSU's all-time scoring list.
Worcester State takes the week off to prepare for their season-opener against MCLA on the road at 1 PM. Clark hosts Keene State on Wednesday at 6 o'clock.