Preview: Field Hockey Tries To Upset UMass Dartmouth In LEC Quarterfinals

ON THE WEB

You can follow this Tuesday's 7 PM Little East Conference field hockey quarterfinal round game against third-seeded UMass Dartmouth and #6 Worcester State on Video and Livestats.

THE SERIES

Since joining the LEC in 2000, UMass Dartmouth holds a 9-7 edge, with eight contests that have been decided by one goal or less. Their only match-up in postseason history was a 4-1 victory by the Corsairs in the 2010 quarterfinals.

The Lancers are 6-10 all-time in the Little East Tournament and were defeated in the opening round 4-0 by Keene State in their first LEC playoff apperance since 2011. WSU rebounded in a big way last season though by claiming their first-ever ECAC victory in a 2-1 overtime quarterfinal triumph over Smith.

EARLIER THIS SEASON

Junior Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) hit home the game-winning goal off a pass from senior Kelli McPherson (Mansfield, MA) with no time left on a penalty corner to defeat UMass Dartmouth, 2-1, on October 3.

Following a scoreless opening stanza, junior Erika Lepkowski (Baldwinville, MA) knocked in a pass from senior Katelyn Abber (Dedham, MA) around the 40 minute mark before UMD junior Jill Leverault (Somerset, MA) tied things up with 16:31 left in regulation.

WSU snapped a five-game skid against UMD that saw the Corsairs win every regular season contest since the 2009 campaign.

THE LANCERS

After their thrilling victory over UMass Dartmouth, Worcester State (10-8, 5-6 LEC) has dropped five of their last eight including their finale this past weekend against Eastern Connecticut.

O'Rourke tops the club with the fourth-best point total in the LEC (12 goals - 6 assists - 32 points) while tying for the league lead with five game-winning markers.

Junior teammates Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, MA) and Lepkowski have combined for 11 goals while classmate Taylor Ledwith (Springfield, MA/Cathedral) is another threat to do damage with four goals and four helpers.

Defensively, junior Megan Ripke (Feeding Hills, MA) has the eighth most defensive saves in the NCAA Division III with 10, just one shy of a school record. Freshman Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, MA) has played every minute between the pipes and anchored the fourth-best goals against average (1.89) and goals allowed sum in the LEC (34).

Another victory for head coach Chris Pothier would mark his 36th in his fourth season at the helm. He will try to guide the Lancers to their first-ever LEC crown.

MARKING THE MILESTONES

With her goal and one assist in Saturday's loss to Eastern Connecticut, O'Rourke moved into seventh in WSU's all-time scoring list with 71 points - just six off Rebecca Sullivan's (1990-92 94) total. O'Rourke has 25 goals and 21 helpers in her solid three-year career.

McPherson has six assists to her credit on the year as she sits at 15th on the list (17 goals - 18 assists - 52 points) while Abber is 25th (16 goals - 5 assists - 37 points). With two tallies and four helpers in 2014, senior Molly Kilday (Westford, MA) became the 35th Lancer to join the exclusive 25 point club.

THE CORSAIRS

Since dropping their regular-season contest to Worcester State, UMass Dartmouth (10-10, 7-4) has won six of their last nine games with only losses to Bridgewater State (Ocober 18), nationally-ranked Wellesley (October 29) and Keene State, 2-1 in overtime, this pas Saturday in their campaign finale.

Levrault paces the club with 12 goals and 30 points to tie for the fifth-highest sum in the LEC while classmate Ali LaDue (Bridgewater, MA) and sophomore Katelin Morrissey (Taunton, MA) have combined for 13 goals.

Senior Chelsey Campbell (Barre, MA) has dished out six helpers while also adding a pair of defensive saves. Sophomore netminder Liz St. Germaine (Wareham, MA) has the sixth-lowest goals against average in the league with a 2.00 GAA.

UMD is in search for their fourth LEC title in the last six seasons, with their last being in 2012. They are the only squad hosting a game that has more goals allowed (50) than it has scored (42).

LITTLE EAST FIELD HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

The winner of this contest will play the victor of the other quarterfinal between second-seeded Plymouth State and #7 Southern Maine on Thursday at the higher seed.

On the other side of the Little East Tournament bracket, top-seed Keene State hosts #8 Eastern Connecticut while #5 Bridgewater State heads to fifth-seeded Western Connecticut.

The winners of the two semifinal games will do battle in the LEC Tournament Championship game on Saturday at the highest remaining seed. Keene State seeks their tenth tournament title as the #1 seed.