Lancers Soar over Owls

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Lancers met the Westfield State Owls this afternoon for a conference battle at the DCU center. Both teams were looking to close out the first half of their season with a MASCAC win before winter break. 

Worcester State got the scoring started a little over eight minutes in on a wrist shot off the stick of sophomore Shane Prifrel (Inver Grove Heights, Minn.). Prifrel took the shot from beyond the right faceoff circle, sneaking the puck over the Westfield goalie's shoulder on the short side. Westfield State would answer four minutes later, capitalizing on a two-on-one opportunity to even the score at one a piece. The Lancers would head into the first intermission on a high note as senior Nicholas Terry (Taunton, Mass.) was able to find the back of the net from in-tight with just 30 seconds left in the opening period. 

After a penalty-free first period, both teams got a chance on the power play in the second. Neither the Owls nor the Laners capitalized on the man-advantage, and the score remained 2-1 in Worcester State's favor throughout most of the period. That was until the Lancers were able to extend their lead to 3-1 on a Brigham Neuhold (sophomore; Edmond, Okla.) shot that came off an Anders Grongstad (freshman; Royal Oak, Mich.) assist with less than three minutes to go. In similar fashion to the first period, Worcester State entered the second intermission on a high coming off a late-period goal. 

There were scoring chances aplenty in a third period riddled with penalties. Worcester State's penalty kill came through in the clutch, killing off multiple penalties including a brief period of three-on-five hockey. Not to mention a short handed goal from junior Brian Clougherty (Lynn, Mass.) that put the Lancers up 4-1. Westfield took advantage of extra open ice during a four-on-four to pull back within two just moments later. Worcester State was able to capitalize their evening with an empty net goal scored by senior Max Roth (Chicago, Ill.) that was shot from the Lancers own defensive zone. 

Westfield State departs the DCU center with a 2-4 record in the MASCAC, and a 5-5-1 record overall. The Lancers are now 4-2 in the conference, with a 4-7 overall record. They'll be back in action next year, ushering in the new year on January 5, 2023 at home against conference foes UMass-Dartmouth at 7 p.m.