Lancers Drop Final Second Heartbreaker to Falcons

Worcester, MA- After dropping the conference opener in the final quarter battle, the Worcester State Field Hockey team (0-6, 0-1) opens up their home conference round of games, hosting Fitchburg State (4-3, 1-1) in a Tuesday night battle. Last year's home meeting with the Falcons ended in a dramatic fashion taking two overtimes and a shootout before the Lancers claimed the victory.

Final

Worcester State: 0

Fitchburg State: 1

How it Happened:

The Lancers came out aggressive in the first quarter, penetrating the circle numerous times but the Falcon defense stood strong and knocked away all the Lancers attempts. Fitchburg had a few brief looks at the cage but their attempts carried wide of the danger. Worcester would lead the shot on cage battle 10 to nill as they hunted for a goal to take the lead. 

The determination would not decrease in the second quarter as Worcester continued their onslaught in the attacking third, but Fitchburg's Isabella Corcoran was everywhere the ball was sent, blocking up the constant barrage from Worcester. The Lancers would settle down a bit on the attack as they attempted to be more strategic, recording just five attempts on the cage. 

The start of the second half saw the frustration and exhaustion begin to build for Worcester as they kept up at attack but their shot selection began to go off target, Fitchburg worked to capitalize on the mistakes and nearly grabbed a goal late in third on a break away opportunity that forced sophomore keeper Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, MA) to step out from cage. The Falcons would pull wide and look at an open cage but sophomore Madeline Barry (South Plainfield, NJ) would make the defensive save to keep the game scoreless through three quarters of action. 

The final quarter of action went down to the final minute as each team battled across the pitch with breakaway and goal opportunities aplenty, but the defense remained solid. It took until under 30 seconds left in the action, a back-to-back-to-back corners for Fitchburg before the Falcons cracked the scoring code. Worcester would immediately work their way downfield and collect a corner of their own but the shot attempt would go just wide of the frame as the clock hit zero for the 1-0 loss. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (0-7, 0-2) is back home on Saturday for an 11am meeting with the Rams of Framingham State.