Worcester, Mass. – Visiting Worcester State scored a pair of first half goals and then held off a hard-charging Clark University squad in the second stanza to post a 2-1 win over their crosstown rivals on Tuesday evening in non-league field hockey action.

The win for the Lancers is their third in their last four matches as they improve to 8-5 under first-year head coach and WSU alum, Kim Cosenza.

For the Cougars, meanwhile, they slip to 5-8 on the year as they begin the most crucial part of their schedule which includes its current three-game homestand.

The Scarlet and White had an excellent chance to get on the board first when Olivia Barksdale (Fort Washington, Md.) found herself alone out in front of the goal but her attempt was denied on a superb defensive save by Megan Ripke (Feeding Hills, Mass.).

Worcester State broke the scoreless tie early on when Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, Mass.) set up Krissy Kenney (Rehoboth, Mass.) for her second tally of the season at 14:58.

The Lancers doubled their lead in the waning moments of the first half when Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.) converted a penalty stroke in the 32nd minute.

Clark finally got on the board, cutting the Worcester State lead in half when the combination of Barksdale and Lauren Mackey (Dublin, N.H.) combined for Mackey's 11th marker of the season in the 55th minute.

Later, the Cougars had an amazing chance to even the score when Barksdale made a full field sprint outracing her defender and cutting in towards the goal but her shot was denied by Lancer backstop Katheyn Salemme (Boxboro, Mass.).

Clark had another golden opportunity in the 66th minute when Alyssa Williams (New Sharon, Maine) took the ball from the top of the circle and worked her way to an open spot on the left side but her lifted shot sailed just past the upper right corner of the cage.

Worcester State held a 13-11 edge in shots and a sizable advantage in penalty corners (14-4).

Salemme made seven saves in between the pipes for Worcester to earn the win, while Clark started Christine Tinsman (Prairie Village, Kan.) before she gave way to Dani Michaud (Providence, R.I.), who recorded five second half saves.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday with conference contests. WSU travels to Fitchburg State for a key MASCAC, while Clark welcomes Wheaton for a crucial NEWMAC showdown.