September 9, 2006

Worcester State Rolls Past E. Conn, 4-1 

MANSFIELD, CT. – Sophomore forward Ginelle Blais (Marlboro, MA) re-directed a shot by senior forward Ann Clark (Worcester, MA) for a goal just 90 seconds into play and the Worcester State College field hockey team went on to a 4-1 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University Saturday afternoon in the Little East Conference opener for both schools.

Clark, who later added her team’s final two goals, took a shot from the left wing that Blais re-directed from in front inside the far right post for her second goal in two matches this year. Trailing 2-0, Eastern (0-3) got one back with 12 minutes left in the first half, but Clark countered with her first goal of the year six minutes later as Worcester (2-0) re-gained the two-goal lead.

While the shots were nearly even -- 16-14 in favor of Worcester -- Eastern held a whopping 16-4 advantage in penalty corners. The Warriors were unable to capitalize on any of them, however, getting their lone goal from top returning scorer Stephanie Mongelli (Pequannock, NJ). Eastern scored the goal off a re-start. The ball was sent in to  reserve forward Emily Eshenfelder (Quaker Hill), who tipped it to Mongelli on the right post. The shot was the only one to beat Worcester junior goalie Erin MacDonald (Dedham, MA) on the afternoon.

Leading 1-0 following its early goal, Worcester doubled its lead 12 minutes into play. Having just entered the match moments earlier, junior forward Colleen Flynn (Arlington, MA) and junior forward Kara Walker (Templeton, MA) hooked up to beat Eastern goalie Mindy Maher (Sherman). Flynn scored her first goal of the year on a backhand shot after Walker found her in the area after winning the ball on the left side. It was Walker’s second assists of the year.

Both goalies made ten saves, MacDonald coming up with seven in the first half.

Eastern and Worcester both look for a return to the conference playoffs, having missed out a year ago. The Lancers’ win was their fifth in as many year over Eastern and sixth in the eight-game series, which dates back to 2000. 

Box Score