GORHAM, Maine – The Worcester State University Lancers defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's lacrosse team by a score of 9-6 on Saturday afternoon at Gorham's Hannaford Field. Shea Jarvis scored 18 seconds into the game to give the visitors an early lead and the Lancers carried that momentum to a 5-2 lead after one quarter. Although the Huskies would score three straight goals to tie the game, the Lancers scored four consecutive goals to go back ahead and widen the gap.
 
Jarvis had a hat trick plus an assist for a team-leading four points. Southern Maine senior Rachel Shanks (Naples, Maine/Lake Region) and junior Julia McKenna (Windham, Maine) also had hat tricks with Shanks logged an assist as well. Worcester State also had two goals apiece from Abigail Wing and Hannah Erickson.
 
The Records:
Worcester State: 4-1
Southern Maine: 1-3
 
Series History:
Today was the second time Southern Maine has played Worcester State and the series is now tied at 1-1. The Huskies won last season's meeting 11-10 on March 24, 2023.
 
The Goaltenders:
Worcester State: Olivia LaValle (2-0), 60:00, six goals allowed, 13 saves
Southern Maine: Cece Racine (1-2), 60:00, nine goals allowed, 17 saves
 
How It Happened:

• Jarvis scored twice during the first quarter with her first goal coming 18 seconds into the action. The Lancers also had goals from Meghan Bowen, Wing and Erickson. Shanks scored both Southern Maine goals thanks to passes from junior Emily Cloutier (Brunswick, Maine) each time.
• The second quarter also featured a goal in the first minute when McKenna picked up the ball on a draw control and raced down to rip a shot past LaVallee nine seconds into the period. She scored again following a pass from Shanks with 5:42 left in the half for the only other goal of the quarter.
• Racine made five saves while allowing no goals in the second quarter.
• The Huskies tied the game 1:21 into the third period with a goal by Shanks but would not score again as the Lancers scored back-to-back man-up goals to retake the lead. Wing also had a goal to increase the lead to 8-5.
• Each team had a goal in the fourth quarter. Madigan Kelley converted a free position shot for the Lancers and McKenna completed her hat trick for the Huskies.

 
Inside The Stats:

• Kelly, Mckayla Fisher and Shannon Donahue recorded assists for Worcester State. Fisher assisted on two goals.
• The Lancers went 2-for-3 on free position shots. Although they drew several free position attempts, the team strategically opted to pass the ball instead of attempting a shot against Racine on several occasions.
• McKenna scooped up the ball on six of the Huskies' eight draw controls wins.
• The Huskies went 23-for-28 on clearing attempts and the Lancers were successful on 20 of their 22 clears.
• Racine's 17 saves are tied for her career high. She also made 17 stops against Worcester State last season.
• Junior Zowie Cheetham-Wilmot (Biddeford, Maine) caused two turnovers and had five ground balls.

 
Up Next:
The Huskies are off until March 20 when they host University of Maine-Farmington at 4:00 pm.