MacDonald and Lancers Claim Shutout Win over Vikings

Worcester, MA- After a thrilling 7-5 victory this Saturday to grab their first conference win, the Worcester State Field Hockey team (1-7, 1-2) is on the road with a trip to Salem State to continue their conference battle. The meetings between these two teams have always been hotly contested and today's match is lined up to be more of the same as Worcester look to get to .500 in the conference.

Final

Worcester State: 6

Salem State: 0

How it Happened:

Worcester State started out aggressive, grabbing the first three shots of the game and setting the tone for the action early. The Vikings would level the playing field late in the first quarter, closing out the game with three straight attempts and looking to shift the momentum back into their favor for the remaining 45 minutes of action.

It would take just two minutes into the fresh quarter to note that Salem's hope would be dashed as the Lancers scored two quick goals. The first was worked in off a corner by senior Kae Coleman (Attleboro, MA) from this week's offensive and rookie MASCAC player of the week Kaylie Ciccone (Douglas, MA). The second would just reverse the roles with Coleman providing the assist to Ciccone.. With just five minutes left before the half senior Allison Keenan (Marlborough, MA) would send in the direct attempt from sophomore Kylie Casey's (Hubbardston, MA) insertion for a 3-0 lead into the half.

Coming out of the half, the Lancers had two options in front of them. First option, they could slow down and protect the lead. The second option,  they stay on the attack and these Lancers only know one speed. They would continue to put pedal to the metal as they looked certain on extending this lead. The Lancers would dominate the amount of shots on goal for the entirety of the game but no shot differential was greater than in the 3rd quarter. The Lancers logged 15 shots on the goal, which is just under 50% of their shots on the goal for the entire match at a total of 31. That stat sheet felt the energy too, as they logged two more goals, another from Keena with an assist from Ciccone, and another Ciccone from Coleman partnership, to make it a 5-0 affair as we entered the 4th and final quarter. 

The Lancers played a much more defensive game losing the shot on goal differential battle 2-4 in their bid to claim their first shutout and settle their conference record at .500. However this down-tick in quantity of shots was made up for by the efficiency of which they scored, using one of their two attempts to claim a sixth goal, this time from senior Charlotte MacGregor (Bellingham, MA) from Ciccone. The remainder of the game would see sophomore keeper Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, MA) vie for her first career shutout, turning away two attempts on frame in the fourth for the victory.

MacDonald would record seven saves in the shutout while Ciccone recorded two goals and four assists for seven points in the action. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (2-7, 2-2) steps out of conference on Thursday as they take on former LIttle East Rival Southern Maine at 7pm on Coughlin Field.