Worcester, MA- In a rematch of last year’s Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference finals, the top seeded Worcester State College Lancer women’s soccer team defeated the fourth seeded Bears of Bridgewater State College by the final score of, 1-0, Wednesday afternoon at Coughlin Field.  The Lancers advance to the MASCAC finals for the 4^th straight year.  Worcester State is now 13-5 on the year, while Bridgewater State evens up at 8-8-1.

The first half ended in a scoreless tie but both teams had first half scoring opportunities.  Worcester State co-captain Kelsey Irish (Hudson, MA) had the first scoring opportunity in the 14^th minute when she knocked a header into the crossbar.  Bridgewater had a pair of scoring chances with the first in the 34^th minute when forward Megan Williamson (Ludlow, MA) struck a ball wide on a wide open net.  Senior Jessica Chiachio (Stoneham, MA) followed with a breakaway in the 39^th minute that was stopped by Worcester State goalkeeper Erin Doherty (Uxbridge, MA).  Worcester State out shot the visitors 9-4 in the half.

Bridgewater State had the first opportunity in the 59^th minute when freshman Kristina Ortiz (Dedham, MA) slid a pass across the middle to a streaking Williamson whose shot went just wide.  In the 60^th minute, Worcester State’s Tiffany Rotatori (Auburn, MA) sent a pass through the center that senior Lauren Cush (Hudson, MA) got of a piece of but redirected it just off frame.  A minute later, a header by sophomore Stephanie Demake (Auburn, MA) off an indirect penalty kick sailed wide to keep the game at a stalemate.

Rotatori broke the tie in the 65^th minute when junior Katelyn Bonetti (Plymouth, MA) made a pass to Rotatori who tapped it past the Bears keeper to give Worcester State a, 1-0, lead and the semifinal victory.

Doherty finished the game with 1 save, while her counterpart Kayla Grover (Haverhill, MA) stopped 8 shots on the day for Bridgewater State.

Worcester State advances to play the second seeded Salem State College Vikings who defeated Fitchburg State, 1-0, this afternoon.  The game will be on Saturday at 6:00 pm at Coughlin Field on the campus of Worcester State College.