WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward Kaleigh Murphy (Pembroke, Mass.) scored a goal and added an assist as top-seeded Westfield State University defeated fourth-seed Worcester State University 4-2 in the 2025 MASCAC Championship game from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass. on Saturday afternoon.

The Owls win back-to-back conference titles as today marked Westfield's 18th victory of the season and 16th consecutive win, both active school records. The Owls (18-3) punched their ticket into the NCAA Division III Tournament and will await the destination and opponent which will be determined on Sunday, November 9 at 9:00 P.M. as part of the NCAA Selection Show. For the Lancers (9-12), their season comes to an end after two playoff wins, defeating Salem State before upsetting Bridgewater State to reach the title game.

Murphy was named the 2025 MASCAC Tournament MVP.  She wasted no time giving the Owls a lead, tallying her 18th marker of the season just four minutes into the game. Sadie Stauffer (Suffield, Conn.) directed an initial shot which was deflected in front to the stick of Caroline Andrade (Watertown, Mass.) whose shot was saved. The rebound found Murphy who swept in the goal for a 1-0 Westfield lead.

Worcester responded midway through the quarter with Emily Curran (Fall River, Mass.) backhanding home a goal off a saved shot by Emma Gniadek (Worcester, Mass.) for her first goal of the season.

A well-executed penalty corner resulted in a shot from the top of the arc from Murphy, finding the stick of Stauffer who tipped the shot up and into the cage for a 2-1 advantage with 11:46 to go in the half.   The goal was a just reward for Stauffer, after previously having a goal disallowed for a high shot upon conversation from the officials.

1:53 into the second half, the Lancers would respond for a second time to equalize the contest after a trip in the box generated a Worcester penalty stroke. Curran stepped up to take the stroke, flicking the attempt to the right side of the cage for her second of the season.

The Owls quickly seized momentum back in their favor, scoring two minutes and 26 seconds after Curran's second goal. Once again, Westfield capitalized on a penalty corner, tallying directly off the insert with Erin Lane (Canton, Mass.) hitting Caroline Andrade (Watertown, Mass.) who fired a shot through traffic towards goal which bounced off the pad of Lizzy MacDonald (Medford, Mass.) and into the cage.

In the fourth quarter, Westfield exerted championship effort, holding Worcester without a shot attempt while adding an insurance score with less than five to go. Kacey Curran (Fall River, Mass.) rifled a shot from the right side of the shooting area which was padded aside by MacDonald with the rebound finding Shannon Gover (Norwood, Mass.) in the middle of the goal mouth where she tucked in the fourth goal of the game and her second of the season. The Owls outshot the Lancers 9-0 in the quarter and 23-11 in the game.

Gover, a key component to the back line of the Owls defense, stepped up into the offensive play in a timely manner, notching her third career goal. Gover and the rest of the Owls defense did an exceptional job of limiting the Lancers leading goal scorer Kaylie Ciccone (Douglas, Mass.) who was held to just one shot on goal, a short side shot that was saved by Gniadek.

The Owls win their second straight MASCAC Championship, both under the leadership of head coach Carden Brown. The Owls have recorded three straight double-digit win seasons in Brown's three years at the helm, setting the program win record last season before shattering such record this season.

MacDonald put forth a strong effort in net for the Lancers, making 11 saves in the game. Gniadek picked up three saves for her 12th win of the campaign.

For additional information regarding the Owls field hockey journey into the NCAA Tournament, visit WestfieldStateOwls.com. Updates will be made when available.

Release courtesy of Westfield State Sports Information