Worcester State Advances Past Salem State for Third Straight Year in MASCAC Playoffs

Worcester, MA- In a repeat of the previous three MASCAC first round games for the Worcester State Lancers (7-11, 7-5), the Blue and Gold hosted the Salem State Vikings in the MASCAC Quarterfinals. The previous two MASCAC playoffs have seen Worcester and Salem State meet, with the Lancers having the 2-0 post season advantage. Two years ago the Vikings fell to Worcester 4-1 in the MASCAC semifinals, and last season, Worcester would take the 5-2 quarterfinal meeting.

Final

Salem State: 1

Worcester State: 3

How it Happened:

Worcester State would have the offensive momentum through the first half of the action. The opening 15 minutes saw the Lancers peppering the Vikings junior keeper Izzy Mosley (Middleborough, MA) with shot after shot. The Lancers would record five corners in the opening period and register seven shots, neutralizing the Vikings attack. 

The second quarter would find Worcester finding offensive success, after nabbing the first four shots, the Lancers sophomore Kylie Casey (Hubbardston, MA) would receive a rebound pass  from senior Charlotte MacGregor (Bellingham, MA) two minutes into the game. Half way through the second Salem would begin to show offensive life as they recorded their first penalty corner, but the defensive pressure was too much to overcome as Worcester broke up the play and carried the ball to the opposite end of the pitch for a corner of their own. After another skillful set of saves from Mosley, MacGregor would record her long denied goal for the 2-0 lead for Worcester.  The Vikings were not going to be denied their chances and would cut the lead in half on a quick transition goal from sophomore Grace Morey (Danvers, MA).

The second half saw Salem finding their confidence recording the first shot and corner of the game, but Worcester's defense had reset themselves during the intermission to knock away the attempts. Worcester would have a chance to extend their lead when a penalty stroke was awarded to Casey but the attempt would be carried wide with a second attempt following being blocked up by a defensive save from junior Siobhan Smith (Peabody, MA). Worcester would continue to inch their way closer to a third goal until finally finding success half way through the quarter as senior Allison Keenan (Marlborough, MA) would receive the slip from sophomore Emily Curran (Fall River, MA) off a set corner play. 

It would be a balanced play in the fourth quarter with both squads working their way around the pitch aiming for a chance to put another goal into the backboards. Halfway through the final quarter of regulation Worcester would nearly score goal four from first year Katelyn Swistak (West Brookfield, MA) off a pass from senior Kae Coleman (North Attleboro, MA) but the redirected tip was sent wide of the frame and returned to Salem's control. The Vikings would not concede easily but the Worcester State Lancers would manage to hold on for the 3-1 win.

Mosley would end the night with 10 saves in the game while Worcester State sophomore keeper Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, MA) would allow a single goal in the action. 

What's Next 

With the win Worcester State advances to the MASCAC Semifinals at Bridgewater State in a #2 Seed vs #4 seed battle as Framingham State upset the third seeded Fitchburg State Falcons in overtime 2-1, earlier in the evening.