There’s been some lean years recently at Worcester State, but not any more. In what can considered one of the shockers of the opening portion of the season, the Lancers knocked off Salem State 5-4 Saturday to move into a first place tie with Massachusetts-Dartmouth.
Worcester State hasn’t had a winning season since 1997-98, but jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first seven minutes and survived a Salem State rally to move to 5-2-3 on the season, 4-1-1 in conference play. Brendan Galley’s score at the 14:18 mark in the third period proved to be the game-winner. Salem State fell into a tie for second with Plymouth State. The five wins match last season’s total for the Lancers. The win snapped a 44-game winless drought for Worcester State against the Vikings, dating back to 1971.
Here’s a look at the rest of the weekend’s action across the MASCAC and ECAC Northeast. The plan is to have a recap of the first semester up sometime later in the week.
Friday, Dec. 10
Fredonia 7, Johnson and Wales 3: The first game of a weekend series went to Fredonia, who exploded for four second period goals after a scoreless opening period.
Hamilton 6, Western New England 3: The Golden Bears were unable to overcome a four goal first period by Hamilton.
Saturday, Dec. 11
Plymouth State 4, Westfield State 1: While Worcester State heads into the break on a hot streak, Westfield State is on a down spin. The Owls are 2-8-1 and 1-5 in MASCAC play a year after going 10-5 in conference play. Meanwhile, Plymouth State moves into a second place time with Salem State.
Becker 6, Framingham State 3: Four first period goals helped the Hawks even their record at 4-4-2, while sending the Rams to 0-9.
Amherst 8, Salve Regina 0: Amherst posted a whopping 67-17 advantage in shots on goal, taming a Seahawks offense that had put up some points despite having just one win on the year.
Fredonia 3, Johnson and Wales 2: The closing game of the weekend was a bit closer, but the Wildcats couldn’t pull out despite rallying with two third period goals.
Sunday, Dec. 12
Williams 3, Nichols 1: No. 4 Williams moved to 7-0-1 on the year, as they held the Bisons to an o-for-4 mark on the the power play.
Southern New Hampshire 2, Salve Regina 2 (OT): In a reversal of their game against Amherst, Salve Regina owned a decisive 52-22 advantage in shots, but was only able to get the one point.
Fitchburg 4, Mass.-Dartmouth 1: The Corsairs missed a chance to claim sole possession of first place heading into the break and instead will have to settle for a tie with Worcester State. Meanwhile, the Falcons move to 3-3 in MASCAC play and 5-3 overall.
Weekly Honors
ECAC Northeast
Player of the Week: Zach Kohn, Nichols. The sophomore posted three goals and an assist in two games on the week, adding two goals in a week at Franklin Pierce and the Bisons’ lone score in a loss to No. 4 Williams.
Goalie of the Week: Ryan Casey, Nichols. Casey posted 30 saves in a 7-2 win over Franklin Pierce
Rookie of the Week: Korby Anderson, Becker. The forward’s fifth goal of the season proved to be the game winner in a 6-3 win over Framingham State.
Honor Roll: Jeremiah Ketts, Johnson and Wales: Had three goals in the Wildcats’ series with Fredonia on the weekend. He ranks sixth nationally with 1.67 points-per-game.
MASCAC
Player of the Week: John Cahalane, Worcester State. Notched four goals and an assist in a 2-0 week for the Lancers, including all four scores in a 4-1 win at Westfield State. He also set up the game winner in Worcester State’s upset of Salem State on Friday.
Goalie of the Week: Jack Astedt, Plymouth State. The sophomore had a 0.50 GAA and .980 save percentage in a 2-0 week for the Panthers.
Honor Roll
Chris Riggs, Fitchburg State. Netted a goal and an assist in the Falcons’ 4-1 win over Mass.-Dartmouth.
Robert Vorse, Fitchburg State. Stopped 23-of-24 shots in a 4-1 win over Mass.-Dartmouth.
Eric Ward, Framingham State. Notched four points (2-2) in two games for the Rams.
Mike Owens, Mass.-Dartmouth: Collected a hat trick in a 7-2 over Framingham State.
Kyle Greco, Plymouth State: Scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Fitchburg State and added a goal in a win over Westfield State.
Kyle Phelan, Salem State: Totaled three points (2-1) in the Vikings’ 5-4 loss to Worcester State.
Bryan Kalczynski: Had 78 saves in a 2-0 week for the Lancers.
