Lancers Third Period Success Pushes them Past Pioneers

Worcester, MA- The Worcester State Women's Ice Hockey team (6-8, 4-1) is back on the road for a midweek battle with the Utica Pioneers. Worcester is looking to break their current three game skid with a strong showing against a tough Utica squad.

Final

Worcester State: 2

Utica: 1

How it Happened:

It would be a strong showing for both the Pioneers and Lancers with Utica holding the slight first period edge on shots to Worcester State taking the edge on power play chances. The Pioneers would manage to connect for 15 shots on cage to the Lancers seven in the opening period. Worcester would have two solid chances with the skater advantage to claim an early lead while successfully killing off the power play against them, but both defenses were unstoppable as the opening action would end at 0-0.

Worcester would open the second with the skate advantage but be unable to sneak one past the goalie during their advantage. Utica managed to find the luck that the Lancers lacked with their power plays as they knocked in the first goal of the game just four minutes into the second. With just under three minutes left Worcester's junior Katarina Precobb (Wrentham, MA)  would collect the pass from senior Lea Gaspar (Chelmsford, MA) to settle the score at 1-1.

The third period would be a back and forth battle with both teams looking for a chance to break the stalemate. Worcester would have the 10-8 shot advantage and finally found the power play success. With just nine minutes left senior Cailey Ryan (Acton, MA) would get feeds from Gaspar and junior Caroline Melanson (Wakefield, MA) to claim the goal lead. Utica would attempt to equalize but another power play would help the Lancers maintain possession and control. The Pioneers would pull their goalie for the extra skater but Worcester was ready to ride out the final minutes, holding on for the 2-1 lead. 

Senior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA) would record 34 saves on the outing. 

What's Next:

Worcester State (7-8, 4-1) has over a week off before their next action, when they host MCLA at the Worcester Ice Center in a Friday afternoon, 3pm, conference matchup.