Lancers Prevail 20-10 Over Vikings

Salem, Mass. --  Kalia Chase (Northbridge, MA) tallied five goals as the Lancers of Worcester State cruised past the Vikings of Salem State 20-10 Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. With the victory, the Lancers improve to 4-6 and 1-1 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. Salem State slides to 3-5 on the season and 0-2 in the MASCAC. Salem State hosted its annual "Think Pink" game in an effort to help raise awareness for cancer research.

Worcester State set the pace for the game early as they tallied six unanswered goals in the first 15 minutes of the contest. During that stretch, Mackenzie Callini (W. Springfield, MA) netted two goals for the Lancers including the game's first goal 50 seconds into the match.  Worcester State outshot the Vikings on net 17-8 in the first half while also dominating the game in the neutral zone, grabbing 21 groundballs compared to Salem State's 12. Paige Giuliano (Braintree, MA) ended the Worcester State run as she cut the deficit to 6-1 with a goal that beat Lancers' goalie Krissy Pessa (Walpole, MA) high and left. Worcester State answered the Giuliano goal with three goals of their own to gain a 9-1 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the half. However, the Vikings got the Lancers lead down to 9-3 before the second half with help from Courtney Smith (Peabody, MA) and Katie Hart (Beverly, MA).

Salem State came out firing at Pessa in the second half as they scored two goals in 30 seconds to come within four of Worcester State. Kalia Chase (Northbridge, MA) tallied her fourth goal of the game at the 27:07 mark to put the Lancers ahead 10-5. Chelsea Smith (Tewksbury, MA) retaliated with a coast-to-coast goal, but that would be quickly erased as the Lancers tagged Salem State goaltender Jenn Toussaint (Reading, MA) for two more goals to take a 12-6 advantage. Chase carried the offensive load for the Lancers as she scored her fifth goal of the contest with a free position opportunity that made the score 13-6. Worcester State's defense helped them gain a 10-goal lead at the 18:55 mark when Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) intercepted the ball and went the length of the field for the score. Down 16-6 the Vikings answered when Bridget Lawless (Swampscott, MA) beat Pessa low to make it 16-7. A three- goal run from the Vikings cut the Lancers lead to 16-9, Worcester State quickly answered with three goals of their own to regain a 10-point lead at 19-9. During that run, Callini, Alaina Martin (E. Longmeadow, MA), and Alexis Vechhiarelli (Agawam, MA) each scored once.

Pessa stopped eight shots in the victory while Toussaint made 13 saves for the Vikings'. Callini added three goals for the Lancers while Martin finished with five points on three assists and two goals. Leading the Vikings was Courtney Smith, Hart and Erin Riley (Wakefield, Mass.) who all scored twice in the loss.

Salem State will host the Pride of Regis College on April 12th at 4:00 p.m. while the Lancers take on conference opponent Curry College at 7:00 p.m. on April 14th.