Field Hockey Blanks Eastern Connecticut, 4-0

Worcester, MA --- Sophomore Lindsey McGeary (Foxboro, MA) notched two goals and junior keeper Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) posted her fourth shutout of the season as they helped lead Worcester State to a 4-0 triumph over Eastern Connecticut in Little East Conference field hockey action this afternoon.

The contest started off as a back and forth affair as the Lancers had a 10-5 lead in shots over the first 20 minutes of the period.

Sophomore Kelly Gawron (Ramsey, NJ) and junior Lauren DeLuca (S. Windsor, CT) paced the Warrior back line as they combined for three defensive saves to keep the hosts off the board. Senior Molly Cotter (N. Easton, MA) also had a stop for the Blue and Gold to keep the game scoreless.

McGeary would then break the stalemate at the 26:06 mark when she converted a long pass from the left side from freshman Kelli McPearson (Mansfield, MA).

Following the intermission with the 1-0 advantage, McGeary then sent in her ninth marker of the season with 43:51 off the clock on a cross from the right side from senior Sarah Cozzens (Sterling, MA). McGeary's attempt slipped past Eastern Connecticut keeper Danielle Reichardt (Ocean Township, NJ), who had stretched her body to completely block the opening in front of the cage.

The Lancers (9-7, 5-5 LEC) then broke the game open and scored twice in a span of two and a half minutes on goals by senior Samantha Janda (Sterling, MA) and Cozzens.

Eastern Connecticut (2-14, 0-10 LEC) nearly broke the shutout with 15 minutes remaining in the second half, but the tally was wiped off the board when the official closest to the net indicated that junior Hanna Collier's (Watertown, CT) bid came from outside of the striking circle.

Senior Haley Erickson (Saugus, MA) also had a defensive stop for WSU as she helped keep the Warriors off the board with seven minutes left in regulation.

Mullen finished with five saves for the hosts while Reichardt turned aside 12 shots for the visitors.

McGeary, who had originally led the team in goals over the first six games of the season, scored for the first time since a victory against Anna Maria on September 15.

Janda and Cozzens also now have 13 and 14 goals, respectively, on the campaign. Cozzens is now just two away from tying the all-time mark that is held by four players including Lancer Hall of Famer Lisa Stockdale (1995-98), who was inducted last weekend.

The Lancers will take a week off and close their season at home against Fitchburg State at 11 AM next Saturday while the Warriors will entertain Regis on Thursday at 4 o'clock.