WORCESTER, Mass. - Worcester State University scored twice early in the first half and that proved to be enough as the Lancers dealt the Keene State College field hockey team a 3-1 conference setback on a rainy Tuesday night at Coughlin Field.

Records

• Keene State:  9-2, 5-1 LEC
• Worcester State:  5-5, 4-2 LEC

How It Happened

The Owls were put in a hole just 44 seconds into the contest as Jess Wilding took a penalty corner and fed Sarah Duff for the game's first tally.  Keene State had scored first in the first six games of the season, but has surrendered the first marker in the last three contests.

KSC had a penalty corner chance in the 12th minute, but they could not convert and a shot from Ally McCall was blocked at the 12:25 mark.  Worcester State doubled their lead just over three minutes later, as Michaila Parent scored her 10th goal of the season from Sophia Monopoli.

Looking to get back in the game, Kayla Klein and Julia Babbitt fired off shots in quick succession in the 20th minute, but both were stopped by WSU goalie Jess Hopkins.  The Lancers had a late first half flurry, but a pair of shots by Duff were blocked and another by her was saved by KSC goalkeeper Rachel Loseby with no time on the clock as it remained a 2-0 game at the half.

The Owls had numerous opportunities out of the locker room, but could not find a way past Hopkins, as she stopped Nina Bruno at the 40:20 mark and Courtney Jessup just two minutes later.  Two other shots were blocked and one went wide.  KSC was awarded three penalty corners in the first seven minutes of the second half.  Worcester State's first threatening scoring chance of the stanza resulted in a third goal, as Parent set up Olivia Antonelli for a 3-0 lead at the 45:12 mark.

The Owls called a timeout and continued to generate ample chances, but still could not find the back of the cage.  Klein's shot in the 51st minute went wide, as did Erica Stauffer's a few minutes later.  Hopkins prevented Babbitt's shot from going in at the 53:06 mark and stoned Bruno again in the 60th minute.  The Owls finally got one past Hopkins at the 62:34 mark, as Babbitt scored her seventh of the season from Hayleigh LeTourneau to make it a 3-1 game.  That was all the Owls could muster, though, as Bruno's effort in the 67th minute was off target and Hopkins made one final save with 1:15 remaining.

Loseby made one stop while falling to 9-2 on the season.  Hopkins (5-5) picked up the win for the Lancers while making eight stops.

Penalty Strokes

• The Owls have lost consecutive matchups in the series (both by 3-1 scores), but are still 21-4 all-time against the Lancers.
• Keene State had a 19-6 advantage in shots (10-4 on goal), including 16-1 in the second half.  The Owls also had a 13-4 edge in penalty corners, including all ten after the break.
• KSC's first conference loss (5-1) leaves Castleton University alone in first place with a 5-0 mark.  The Owls and Spartans do not play each other until the season finale on October 27.

Up Next

• Keene State has their second matchup with a ranked opponent this season, as they host No. 18 Amherst College on Thursday, October 4 at 6:30 pm.
• Worcester State is home against Anna Maria College on the same night at 7:00 pm.