Lancers Outlast Vikings to Claim Top Spot in Regular Season
Worcester, MA- With the final two games of the regular season upon the season, the Worcester State Lancers Women’s Ice Hockey (14-9, 8-2) is aimed to tie a bow on their first seed into playoffs in the night's meeting with Salem State. The Blue and Gold, coming into the weekend, just needed two points to grab possession of the top spot in the tournament. The Vikings and Lancers travelled into the game each holding a win on the other in the first a crucial weekend for Worcester.
Worcester, MA- With the final two games of the regular season upon the season, the Worcester State Lancers Women's Ice Hockey (14-9, 8-2) is aimed to tie a bow on their first seed into playoffs in the night's meeting with Salem State. The Blue and Gold, coming into the weekend, just needed two points to grab possession of the top spot in the tournament. The Vikings and Lancers travelled into the game each holding a win on the other in the first a crucial weekend for Worcester.
Final
Worcester State: 1
Salem State: 0
How it Happened:
Worcester only needed one goal to win this meeting and it came early in the game as sophomore Avery Ireland (Longmeadow, MA), with the assist from junior Fiona Hatton (Homer, AK) would score 15 minutes into the action for the 1-0 lead. They killed off an early power play opportunity from Salem as the period opened up, and were unsuccessful on their first skater and range before the Ireland power play game winner.
The following two periods would see the teams trade shots and chances, with the Vikings staying out of the penalty box through the second period and providing Worcester just a single power play chance in the third. In the defensive bout, senior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA) and her defense held strong from start to finish, making 32 saves for the crucial top seed sealing conference win.
What's Next:
Worcester State (15-9, 9-2) will now be at home tomorrow to close out the regular season on senior day with a 4:20pm bout with Rivier University.
