Worcester State Clips Fitchburg State, 3-2

Wundt ties program's all-time goal record with one score

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 20, 2008) - The Fitchburg State women's soccer team suffered a tough 3-2 setback to Worcester State College in MASCAC action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

Junior Lauren Wundt (Southwick, Mass./Southwick-Tolland) and sophomore Heather Sharp (Halifax, Mass./Silver Lake) led the Fitchburg State attack with one goal apiece, while sophomore Ali Landry (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham) and Mary Lindberg (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) recorded one helper each. With her score, Wundt tied the program's all-time career goal record of 29 previously held by Mary Ann Barrett ('94-'97).

LAUREN WUNDT

Worcester State was led offensively by senior captain Michelle Astuccio (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro) who totaled three points on one goal and one assist. Seniors Amanda Santos (Milford, Mass./Milford)  and Tiffany Rotatori (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) aided the Lancer attack with one goal apiece, while sophomore Kara Rogato (North Andover, Mass./North Andover) chipped in with an assist.

Worcester State opened the scoring early in the 2^nd minute of the action packed first half as Rotatori connected for her fifth goal of the season off a left-side cross from Rogato. Fitchburg State  knotted the score at 1-1 just eight minutes later as Wundt took an Ali Landry pass and connected for her eighth goal of the season.

The Lancers quickly responded with two consecutive goals in a 7:31 span to take a 3-1 advantage. Santos ignited the Worcester State rally with her second score of the season, while Astuccio added her second goal of the match. Fitchburg State inched closer late in the first half with a score by Sharp, but sophomore goaltender Rachael Armenti (West Boylston, Mass./Holy Name) made two second half saves to silent the Falcon attack and preserve the victory.

Fitchburg State out-shot Worcester State 15-13 in the match and gained a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks. Junior goaltender Emily Swan (Franklin, Mass./Franklin) started the match for the Falcons before giving way to classmate Kyla Batchelder (Stoughton, Mass./Stoughton), who shutout the Lancers with four saves in over 66 minutes of work.

Fitchburg State (5-3, 0-1 MASCAC) is back in action on Tuesday as it travels to UMass Boston at 3:30 p.m. Worcester State (4-1-1, 1-0 MASCAC) will host Plymouth State College on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

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Worcester 3, Fitchburg State 2

Scoring:
First Half: WSC; Tiffany Rotatori (Kara Rogato), 1:32; FSC: Lauren Wundt (Ali Landry), 9:44; WSC: Amanda Santos (Michelle Astuccio), 12:49; WSC: Astuccio, 20:20; FSC: Heather Sharp (Mary Lindberg), 41:08;    
Second Half:  NONE
Goaltending: FSC: Emily Swan (23:10), no saves; Kyla Batchelder (66:50), four saves; WSC: Rachael Armenti (90:00), five saves.
Shots On Goal: FSC: 15; WSC: 13;