WESTFIELD, Mass. – Olivia Crooks (Wilbraham, Mass.) broke a scoreless tie early in the second half for second-seeded Westfield State which defeated top-seeded Worcester State 1-0 in the 2025 MASCAC Championship match on the road Sunday afternoon.

The Owls (9-5-6) win their fourth MASCAC title in the last five seasons and 11th overall in program history. The Lancers season comes to an end after posting a 10-8-1 overall record. Westfield did not lose a game to a conference opponent all season, finishing the regular season with a 6-0-2 conference mark before trekking through the conference tournament with 2-0 win over Bridgewater in the semis before today's title victory.

"This is one of the hardest working teams I have had at Westfield State," said Owls head coach Todd Ditmar. "We have a great number of complimentary players, each one understanding their role on the team. They played hard for one another."

Westfield punches their ticket into the NCAA Tournament with the winning result, earning the MASCAC's automatic qualifying bid, and will wait to hear their name called during the NCAA Division III women's soccer selection show on Monday at 11:00 A.M. on NCAA.com.  

Westfield had several near misses towards the end of the first half, but in the second period, Crooks was able to convert on the Owls first shot attempt of the half. Liv DeMember (West Boylston, Mass.) carried the ball up the sideline, crossing a pass into the box which was tipped by Kiana Muratsuka (Wahiawa, Hawaii) on the way by, finding Crooks who made a sliding play on the ball, launching a shot that tipped off of the finger tips of Ella Gumienny (Douglas, Mass.) and into the net with 33:39 to play in regulation.

Worcester State ramped up the offensive pressure after the Crooks goal, attempting six corner kicks over the back half of the period. The Owls leaned on the experience of veteran keeper Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass.) who came up with several gigantic saves, specifically with eight minutes remaining after making a spectacular sprawling stop to her left on a high shot from Annya O'Rourke (Worcester, Mass.) which would have tied the match.

Robak was named the 2025 MASCAC Tournament MVP for her performance, making four saves for the shutout effort.

"Julia has been so special in net this year," said Ditmar. "She embodies our team's philosophy of practicing and playing hard. She works every day in practice trying to improve and get better and that has rubbed off on the team."

Olivia Magierowski (Brimfield, Mass.) almost found the tying marker in the 62nd minute with her attempt hitting the crossbar.

Westfield's defensive calling card was on display throughout the game and has served as a major strength for the unit all season long.  

"Our defense has been the heart of the team all season long," said Ditmar. "Every player on the field plays their part from the forwards to the four backs and Julia in goal. Only allowing two goals in ten MASCAC games is an amazing accomplishment."

The Owls shut out eight opponents during the regular season and transferred that stingy play into the postseason by not allowing a goal in the two tournament wins. Westfield has not allowed a goal in the last four matches, and over 360 minutes of game action.

The Owls had three shots in the opening period, and all three threatened to put Westfield in front.

Midway through the first half, the Owls had the first high danger scoring chance for either side. DeMember gained possession at the 30-yard line, dishing a diagonal feed to Muratsuka who made a move past a Lancers defender, lacing a right footed shot that was tipped up and over the bar by Gumienny.

Muratsuka had an even better opportunity with 10:40 left in the first half, working around her nearest defender before firing a rising shot from the top left corner of the penalty area that was labeled for the corner of the net. The shot rang off the corner of the crossbar, keeping the match scoreless.

The Owls had a third scoring look off a corner kick with seven to go in the half, with a low service into the front of the box by Kiki McNary (Brattleboro, Vt.) found Kylie Tomasetti (Northborough, Mass.) whose redirected shot was saved by a diving Gumienny.

Worcester State was awarded a free kick with 30 seconds left until the break, lofting the ball into the box which was played out by Westfield. A reload resulted in the first shot on goal by the Lancers from Amanda Cosco (Watertown, Mass.) which was well played by Robak, coming off her line to save the shot and prevent a rebound.

Today's championship match marked the fifth straight season in which the Owls and Lancers have met in the MASCAC Tournament. Westfield has won all five meetings, defeating Worcester in the MASCAC semifinals the last three seasons with bookend title wins this season and during the 2021 campaign. Westfield visited Worcester during the regular season and won that match 1-0 thanks to a second half goal by Tia Tollis (East Longmeadow, Mass.).  

"The players are amazing and they push me to coach them in order to make them better soccer players," added Ditmar.

For additional information regarding the Owls and their NCAA Tournament destination, opponent, times, and ticket information, visit WestfieldStateOwls.com for latest updates.

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