Ciccone Hat Trick Leads Lancers to First Victory

Worcester, MA – Looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking last-second loss to Fitchburg State earlier in the week, the Worcester State field hockey team (0-7, 0-2) returned home Saturday afternoon and broke through in a big way, earning their first win of the season with a 7–5 victory over Framingham State.

Final Score
Worcester State: 7
Framingham State: 5

How It Happened

The game started at a frantic pace, with the Lancers striking just two minutes in. Senior Kae Coleman (North Attleboro, MA) got her stick on a strong send from Kaylie Ciccione (Douglas, MA), redirecting it around the Rams' keeper for a 1–0 lead. Framingham quickly answered, capitalizing on a scramble in front of the cage to even the score at 1–1.

Worcester regained momentum before the end of the first quarter when Emily Curran (So.) blasted a shot off a penalty corner that senior Allison Keenan (So.) tipped home to make it 2–1. Despite late corner pressure from the Rams, the Lancers' defense held firm into the break.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the second quarter. Framingham knotted things at 2–2, but Worcester first-year Katelyn Swistak (West Brookfield, MA) slipped a shot past the Rams' keeper off a feed from classmate Abby Matta (West Bridgewater, MA) to reclaim the lead. Curran then set up Ciccione for her first tally of the day, sending Worcester into halftime with a 4–2 cushion.

Framingham controlled the third quarter, finding the back of the cage twice to pull even at 4–4 heading into the final frame. But the fourth quarter belonged entirely to Ciccione and the Lancers' attack. The sophomore forward erupted for three goals in just over two minutes to record a natural hat trick, then added a fourth for good measure, putting Worcester up 7–4. The Rams managed one late strike, but the Lancers stood tall down the stretch to seal the 7–5 win.

In net, sophomore Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, MA) earned her first collegiate victory with nine saves.

What's Next

Worcester State (1-7, 1-2 MASCAC) looks to keep rolling on Tuesday when they travel to Salem State to face the Vikings at 4 p.m.