Lancers Comeback Bid Falls Short versus Warriors

Worcester, MA- The Lancers are back in New England action after a Spring Break trip to Hilton Head where the Worcester State Lacrosse team (4-3, 0-0) split the trip down south. The Lancers returned for a road trip to Eastern Connecticut in the early evening matchup.

Final

Worcester State: 15

Eastern Connecticut: 19

How it Happened:

Eastern Connecticut State University responded to an early deficit against Worcester State University through its offensive display during the first quarter, which moved at high speed. The two goals that senior McKayla Fisher (Peabody, MA) scored for Worcester State University were made possible through junior Madigan Kelley's (Bourne, MA) assists, which created a 2-0 lead for the team. The Eastern Connecticut team answered back as Alexa Vizzini scored two consecutive goals to equalize the match before she helped her team score four goals, which put them in front. The Eastern Connecticut team gained control of the game through goals from Molly Page and Ella Huard during the scoring period. The score reached 3-3 when first-year Fallon Lozano (Upton, MA) scored a goal, which received assistance from her teammate.

Worcester State University managed to recover its lost energy during the second quarter before Eastern Connecticut State University finished the first half with a powerful last-minute attack. Kelley scored the first goal for Worcester to reduce the score gap, but Alexa Vizzini responded again for Eastern. Worcester completed a remarkable scoring sequence when Fisher, senior Molly Witkowski (Greenville, NY) (twice), and first-year Savannah Botthof (Chester, PA) scored goals to transform a deficit into an 8–6 advantage. Eastern achieved three rapid goals in the last minute when Vizzini scored twice, and Emma Oliano scored once to take back the lead for an 8–9 advantage at halftime.

Worcester State University experienced difficulties during the third quarter when Eastern Connecticut State University expanded its advantage until Worcester initiated their comeback attempt. The Warriors opened the scoring when Emma Oliano successfully netted a goal with assistance from Alexa Vizzini, which gave them a significant lead, and later added another goal from Ella Huard. Worcester responded through a man-up goal by first year Maryl Hooper (Westminster, MA) and continued their comeback attempts during the quarter because first year Savannah Botthof (Chester, PA) and Lozano both scored during the last minute. Eastern maintained its lead of 11-15 entering the fourth quarter despite the late momentum shift.

Eastern Connecticut State University used its fourth-quarter lead to win the game against Worcester State University. Eastern opened the quarter with three straight goals from Molly Page, extending their lead and putting the game out of reach. Worcester responded with a late push, getting goals from junior Kerry Brown (Billerica, MA), senior Shannon Donahue (Dennis, MA), and junior Meghan Bowen (Westfield, MA), who scored twice, to cut into the margin. Eastern secured their victory after Alexa Vizzini scored another late goal while Worcester scored their last goal during the final seconds, making the final score 15–19.

What's Next:

Worcester State (4-4, 0-0) kicks off conference action on Saturday when they head to Fitchburg State for an 11am start.