Late Goals Help Salem State Run Past Field Hockey 4-2

Worcester, MA --- SSU senior Courtney Lynch (N. Andover, MA) and junior Lauren Pazdziorny (Middleton, MA) collected a goal apiece in the last two minutes of regulation to secure a 4-2 Little East Conference victory over Worcester State from Coughlin Field this afternoon.

Salem State (6-1, 2-1 LEC) got out to an early lead when sophomore Nicole Bisbee (Templeton, MA) was able to find the back of the cage off a great feed from Lynch at the 8:45 mark of the first period of play.

Worcester State (2-5, 0-3 LEC) was able to turn the momentum in their favor heading into the half when sophomore Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) was able to race through the center of the Viking defense and unleash a laser from the top of the circle and into the back of the net with just over three minutes left to play in the first stanza.

Salem State went into the intermission leading in shots, 12-6, and penalty corners, 3-2.

Keeping the pendulum on their side the Lancers opened the second half scoring when senior Ally Valencia (Foxboro, MA) darted through several defenders on the right side of the net and found freshman Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, MA) who chipped in the go-ahead marker.

However, three minutes later SSU freshman Kathleen Clark (Southboro, MA) provided the 2-2 equalizer with her team-leading fifth goal of the season.

The next 20 minutes of play was a back and forth defensive battle until Lynch was able to follow her own saved shot and put the rebound into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner with just under two minutes left to play.

Pazdziorny was then able to provide some insurance when she chased down a loose ball and scored a breakaway goal with 12 seconds remaining in regulation.

Senior Rebecca Mullen (Peabody, MA) was strong in net all day for the Blue and Gold recording 13 saves in the losing effort. Junior Michaela Boyer (South Hadley, MA) finished with two stops for the Vikings.

SSU finished with the 22-8 edge in shots (10-2 in second half) and the slight 5-3 advantage in corners. 

Worcester State will next travel to UMass Dartmouth for a 7 o'clock LEC affair Tuesday night while Salem State will host Southern Maine on Wednesday at 6 PM.