Courtney Araujo scored the game-winning goal in Westfield’s thrilling 4-3 victory over Worcester State. (File photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Courtney Araujo scored the game- winning goal after time expired to lift Westfield State held off Worcester State, 4-3, in conference field hockey action late Friday.
A Westfield penalty corner was awarded in the final seconds of regulation while both teams were locked at three goals apiece. The set play initially broke down, but the Lancers were unable to clear the ball allowing Courtney to score on a scrum near the post.
Worcester’s Katelyn Abber scored two dramatic goals, both assisted by Kelli McPherson, with less than five minutes remaining to even the score at 3-3 ti set the stage for the Araujo’s last-second heroics.
Worcester State jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Erika Lepkowski scored nine minutes into the contest off an assist from Katelyn Carmody.
Two minutes later, Westfield freshman Holly Brouillette buried her first of two goals, deflecting a hard shot from Danielle Grenon over the shoulder of goalkeeper Allison Romano.
Brouillette and Kelsey Carpenter extended the Westfield lead to 3-1 with second-half goals. Grenon registered her second assist of the game.
Westfield, which outshot Worcester, 15-7, is now 3-5 in the conference and 6-7 overall. Worcester State drops to 2-6 in the conference and 8-6 overall.
