Owls Outlast Lancers, 3-2

WESTFIELD, Mass. –  The Westfield State Owls defeated the Worcester State Lancers, 3-2, on a cool and overcast Saturday afternoon on Alumni Field. The victory keeps Westfield unblemished in the MASCAC (3-0) and 7-2-1 overall, the Lancers fall to 2-7-1 and 1-2 in conference play. 

Kylee Murphy (Haverhill, Mass./ Haverill) tallied the first goal of the game for the Owls in the 32^nd minute. Delaney Parker (Orange, Mass./ Ralph C. Mahar) served a corner kick into the face of the goal and a failed Lancer clearance fell to Murphy's feet before finding the back of the net.

Parker added a second goal for the Owls two and a half minutes later. She dribbled the ball from a seemingly harmless position 25 yards away from the goal before striking a rocket that found the upper left corner. The Owls carried the 2-0 lead into half.

Worcester's best opportunity of the first half came from Abby Bond (Bolton, Mass./ Nashoba Regional) halfway through first frame. Bond ripped a shot from the top of the penalty box that was pushed over the crossbar by a leaping Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass./ Chicopee). The ensuing corner was punched out by Robak but found it's way to Riley Patenaude (Pepperell, Mass./ North Middlesex) who had a one timer that was blocked by an Owl defender.

Westfield extended their lead to 3-0 ten minutes into the second stanza on a Bella Parrotte (East Greenbush N.Y./ Columbia) goal that was assisted by Marissa Jacob (Holden, Mass./ Wachusett) and Emily Ottomaniello (Agawam, Mass./ Agawam). Parrotte's shot came from just outside the left corner of the box and found the far side of the net.

Worcester State responded immediately to keep the game within reach. Addison Enos (Middleboro, Mass./ Middleboro) played a quick throw-in to the feet of Haley Mignon (Tewksbury, Mass./ Tewksbury Memorial) who spun and connected with a streaking Erin Condon (East Bridgewater, Mass./ East Bridgewater) behind the Owls' defense. Condon tucked the ball inside the left post for Worcester's first goal.

The Lancers narrowed the margin to one with fifteen minutes remaining via a Hailey Skowronski (Douglas, Mass./ Blackstone Valley Tech) netter that was set up by an over- the- top ball played by Condon via Raelyn Callahan (Pepperell, Mass./ North Middlesex Regional).

Worcester threatened to tie the match with five minutes remaining on a Skowronski cross that was headed on target by Callahan but Robak made the save for the Owls to seal the win.

Westfield heads to crosstown rival Western New England University on Wednesday, Oct. 5 for a 4:00 p.m. kickoff off. The Lancers will host Western Connecticut on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 7:00 p.m.