Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Soccer team (1-4-1, 0-1) return to action tonight to take on the Clark University Cougars after a brief foray into their conference season. The Lancers are coming off a tough drop to the Bridgewater Bears and look to rebound with a win before facing their next conference opponent this weekend.

Final

Worcester State: 1

Clark: 0

How it Happened:

The opening half of action for Clark and Worcester State was a seesaw of back and forth action as most of the play occurred in the midfield. Each team was capitalizing on their use of midfields over the opening 45 minutes with a few solid opportunities created for shots, but while the attempts were there, the situation was just not right. Clark would record two corners late in the half but both would cross the box with minimal threat to the Lancer defense while senior Raelyn Callahan (Pepperell, MA) and sophomore Ava Lemanski (Clinton, MA) would work that high front for Worcester trying to penetrate the Cougars back line. The wing work of senior Maddie Breuer (Hubbardston, MA) and sophomore Olivia Magierowski (Brimfield, MA) would be instrumental in the Lancers chances but even with seven attempts to their offensive credit, Worcester would walk into the half with a 0-0 tie. 

Clark would pick up the offensive intensity in the second half as they began to add another level of pressure but Worcester's defense would not bend. It would take until the 64' minute for the tie to be broken as Magierowski would work her way from the middle of the box to the left frame. Her initial shot was bumped by the Cougar keeper but the rebound landed right on the right foot of Magierowski who tapped in right over the keeper to grab the 1-0 lead. The pot would only continue to boil between the two teams as Clark worked to reclaim the tie while Worcester would work to extend their lead and look for the cushion goal. Worcester would grab two corner kicks that would add some pressure to the Cougar defense with 15 minutes remaining, but the blocked up box would limit the effectiveness of the set piece attempts. Clark would continue to find their offensive rhythm but as had been the curse of the first half their shots were failing to find the surface of the cage to threaten. The Cougars would have two solid attempts in the last two minutes to even the score but sophomore Ella Gumienny (Douglas, MA) would nab each attempt, holding on for the 1-0 victory.

Gumienny would end the day with five saves while Lemanski and Magierowski would each have two shots in the game to combine for the Worcester State 11 on the night. 

What's Next:

The Lancers (2-4-1, 0-1) are back in action this Saturday when they journey to Westfield State to take on the Owls at 12pm as they look to grab their first conference win against their postseason rivals.