Falcons Fall To Lancers, 5-0

Bryant and Fletcher combine for 11 saves in conference setback 

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University field hockey team dropped a 5-0 decision to the Lancers of Worcester State in Little East Conference (LEC) action this evening at Elliot Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 0, Worcester State 5

Records: Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-1 LEC) | Worcester State (2-1, 1-0 LEC)

How It Happened

Neither team was able to find the net in the first half as senior Molly Richard (Leominster, Mass./St. Bernard's) had the best scoring opportunity for the Falcons midway through the first half, but Lancer keeper Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass./Chelmsford) was able to turn aside the shot to preserve the 0-0 stalemate.

In the second half, Worcester State grabbed the lead at the 35:35 mark as freshman Anna Mahar (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) struck for her first collegiate tally for the 1-0 edge. The Lancers quickly doubled their margin (2-0) minutes later when junior Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass./Westford)  gathered a feed from senior Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass./Seton Hall) and deposited a shot inside the near post.

Worcester State extended its advantage in the 41st minute of play as senior Jess Wilding (Somerset, Mass./Somerset) connected for her third goal on the year to make the score 3-0 before the Lancers secured the win (4-0) when Parent notched her team-leading fourth marker of the 2018 campaign, resulting in the 5-0 final.

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest marks the 38th meeting between the two schools in the sport of field hockey with the Falcons currently 16-22-0 all-time when taking on the Lancers.

Worcester State has won five of the last six match ups with Fitchburg State, including a 3-2 overtime decision last season at Elliot Field.

In the cage, junior Rhiannon Fletcher (Royalston, Mass./Monty Tech) and freshman Abby Bryant (Ware, Mass./Quabbin Regional) combined for 11 saves for the Falcons, while Hopkins stopped two shots for the Lancers in the victory.

Richard led Fitchburg State with three shots in the contests.

Worcester State held a 24-9 advantage, while also finishing with a 17-3 margin in penalty corners.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Hawks of Roger Williams on Thursday for a non-conference tilt, starting at 7:00 PM. Lancers will visit WPI on the same date to take on the Engineers for non-conference bout with a 7:00 pm start.