Gillis, Kilday Help Spark Field Hockey In 5-2 Victory Over Anna Maria

Worcester, MA --- Freshman Bridget Gillis (W. Newton, MA) registered two goals and senior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) dished out a trio of assists as the pair helped propel Worcester State to a 5-2 triumph over Anna Maria in non-conference field hockey action this evening at Coughlin Field.

Anna Maria (2-3) started off the contest with the early 1-0 edge, taking advantage of a Lancer miscue.

Just 1:26 into the game, junior Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, MA/South) intercepted a long pass on the right side of the net and hit senior Nichole Lowe (Saugus, MA) for her team-leading fourth of the campaign.

The Blue and Gold (2-2) answered exactly seven minutes later when Gillis netted her first collegiate tally on a short pass from Kilday, who collected her own rebounded save in front of the net.

Worcester State took over the 2-1 margin at the 13:51 mark when senior Katelyn Abber (Dedham, MA) scooped in a strong cross from the right side by Kilday. The goal, which took a fortuitous bounce to Abber after it glanced off a defenders stick, was her first of the year.

The AMCATS though scored the equalizer 2-2 with less than six minutes remaining in the opening stanza on what ended up being their only penalty corner attempt.

Freshman Sarah Bess (W. Barnstable, MA) sent a pinpoint pass to Lowe, who then set-up the ball for sophomore Kayla Garczynski (Norwood, MA) as she finished with a blast at the top of the circle.

The Lancers used a pair of quick markers to double up their opponents just three minutes into the second period.

Gillis potted the eventual game-winner just 25 ticks into the second frame off a pass by Kilday from the right side finishing to the right corner of the net.

Junior Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) scored on a breakaway nearly two minutes later. She was aided on the play by Kilday and nearly lost the ball after a defender tried to steal the ball away. But O'Rourke quickly grabbed the ricochet and put the Lancers up 4-2.

Junior Erika Lepkowski (Baldwinville, MA) added some insurance with 46:58 off the clock. Lepkowski collected her first tally of the campaign in front of the net with some help by senior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA).

Junior Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH) stopped five shots for the AMCATS while freshman Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, MA) was not called upon to make a save in the victory.

Worcester State outshot their opponents 13-4 while also enjoying a 10-1 edge in penalty corners.

Both squads will travel for league games on Saturday. Worcester State heads north to take on Plymouth State at 2 PM as Anna Maria travels south for an 11:30 AM match against Johnson & Wales.