I caught up with our featured club Ulster University Elks as they hosted USA Varsity side Worcester State Hockey Club at Jordanstown Sports Village on Tuesday evening.

Worcester State, from Worcester Massachusetts, approximately 40 miles west of Boston, are on a week long tour of Ireland ahead of their defence of the MASCAC, where they were both regular season and conference champions last year.

It was a good work out for the young WooState Players who faced off against a strong Elks side on Tuesday night.

It was a fairly close first quarter as the teams sounded each other out. Elks started to create more chances as the quarter wore on but strong defence from Maggie Naylor and the Worcester keeper, Madison Ferrara, kept the game scoreless until the final minute when Elks’ Beth Scott managed to find the back of the net for the opening goal.

The second quarter continued in a similar vein with Worcester’s Kate Harrison making some breaks down the left.

However a strong finish to the quarter from the Elks saw them take a 3 – 0 lead into the second half after late goals from Jess McMaster and Gabby Scott.

Despite a strong showing from Worcester’s Allison Keenan in defensive midfield the Elks were able to turn up the heat in the third quarter.

Gabby Scott picked up her second goal from a penalty stroke before Lucy Craig slotted in a penalty corner.

Katie Craig finished off the scoring with a fine individual effort from the edge of the D to take the score to 6 – 0.

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