Kilday Fuels Second-Half Surge In 5-2 Field Hockey Win Over New England College

Henniker, NH --- Junior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) potted a pair of markers in a three-goal uprising as she helped lead Worcester State to a 5-2 triumph over New England College in non-conference field hockey action this evening on the road. 

In the win the Lancers run their streak to 3-0 while the Pilgrims fall to 1-4 in the setback.

With the score knotted 2-2 early in the second period, Kilday notched an unassisted tally at the 45:02 mark for the go-ahead marker. 

Less than nine minutes later, sophomore Megan Ripke (Agawam, MA) found Kilday again for the 4-2 edge and freshman Meghan Pini (Natick, MA) completed the scoring for WSU with 11:04 left on the clock on pass from classmate Katelyn Carmody (Shelbourne Falls, MA).

Carmody originally helped the Blue and Gold claim the 1-0 edge when she scored off a Pini rebounded shot just 96 seconds into the contest.

New England College answered back when senior Kristen O'Connell (Melrose, MA) tallied off of a penalty corner and a feed from sophomore Cody Kent (Rye, NH).

The contest remainded 1-1 through the remainder of the first stanza to set the stage for what proved to be a wild second period.

Worcester State had an early chance to go up just one minute into the final frame on a penalty stroke, but junior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) was denied by senior keeper Courtney Duquette (Enfield, NH).

McPherson, however, did find the back of the net five minutes later at the 41:34 mark when she dribbled around a defender off a nice cross by Carmody.

The Pilgrims reponded on a senior Rachel Hunt (Harwich, MA) marker with 43:28 off the clock, but Kildway helped give the Lancers the lead 2 1/2 minutes later with the decisive goal.

Fourth-year netminder Allison Romano (E. Bridgewater, MA) recorded two stops for the Lancers in the win while Duquette turned aside 15 saves in the setback. Fourth-year Jaclyn Papagni (Lynnfield, MA) also had a trio of defensive saves to pitch in on the back line for New England College.

Kilday and Carmody both finished with four points apice for WSU while Kilday and McPherson tie for the team-lead with four goals on the campaign.

Worcester State led in shots 24-6 and corners, 19-3.

The Lancers continue their road trip with a 7 PM meeting against Anna Maria on Thursday while the Pilgrims head to Framingham State on Thursday for a 4 o'clock start time.

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