Lancers Claim Decisive Win over Trailblazers

Worcester, MA- Coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory over Utica last Wednesday, the Worcester State Women's Ice Hockey team (7-8, 4-1) was back in conference fighting shape to take on the Trailblazers of MCLA. Head Coach Eliza Kelley is on the hunt for her career 100th NCAA Head coaching win, having claimed her collegiate 100th win, which include both NCAA and wins over club programs, back on January 2nd. With the victory at Utica, Kelley moved to just two wins away from the honor. 

Final

Worcester State: 4

MCLA: 1

How it Happened:

Worcester State began the first period on the attack, recording in total 11 shots on cage, to the Trailblazers single attempt in the opening 20 minutes. Nearly halfway through the first, Worcester would find their first taste of success in the afternoon as first year Princess Delano (Mountainside, NJ) collected the puck from teammates sophomore Emily Johns (Clinton, MA) and junior Caroline Melanson (Wakefield, MA) to put the Blue and Gold up 1-0. It was a relatively quiet period after the goal as both teams looked for chances but were unable to add any tallies to the scoreboard.

MCLA managed to find more success in the second, grabbing an interference penalty early that allowed them to practice their aim in senior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA). The Lancers managed to successfully kill the power play but with just under 10 minutes in the period that Trailblazer fight prevailed for the tying goal. Worcester State did not back down in the period though, taking chances and looking for a scoring opportunity of their own. That perseverance paid off with just five minutes left in the period as Johns would work in the slip dish power-play shot past the MCLA keeper off the assists of seniors Lea Gaspar (Chelmsford, MA) and Cailey Ryan (Acton, MA). With just 14 seconds left in the period sophomore Leyla Tiernan would collect a scramble off the keeps pad for a tiny tuck around goal to extend the Worcester lead to 3-1.

The final period of action was a slow and steady affair as each team looked for chances. Worcester would have their best of the block with a late interference call on the Trailblazers, but while Worcester had a few shots, MCLA managed to block up the lanes to keep it a two goal game. Worcester proved it did not need a power play to score though as junior AJ Villandry (Westford, MA) would send in the surprise fourth goal with just under two minutes remaining for the 4-1 conference victory.

What's Next:

Worcester State (8-8, 5-1) is right back in action versus MCLA tomorrow, this time with a trip to North Adams, for a 5:30pm puck drop as Head Coach Eliza Kelley looks for an NCAA career win 100.