DeMaio, Manning Lead Bears to 24-11 Win over Westfield

Box Score 

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Sophomores Katie DeMaio (Port Jefferson Station, NY) and Shannon Manning (Framingham, MA) combined for ten goals and nine assists to lead the Bridgewater State College women's lacrosse team to a 24-11 victory over Westfield State College this afternoon in Bridgewater.

With the win the Bears improve to 5-2 overall and remain undefeated in the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) standings with a perfect 3-0 conference mark.  Westfield falls to 2-4 on the season and 1-1 in the NEWLA.

DeMaio tallied a career-high six goals and four assists, while Manning netted four goals to go along with a career-high five assists and five draw controls.  Manning, the reigning NEWLA Player of the Week, continues to lead the conference in all three offensive categories as she now has 25 goals, 18 assists and 43 points.

Freshman attack Jenny Jones (Framingham, MA) added a career-high five goals.  Senior midfielder Alison Gugliotta (Norwood, MA) tallied three goals and an assist, while senior midfielder Lauryn Serratore (Norwood, MA) chipped in with three goals.  Gugliotta and Serratore were also credited with three draw controls apiece.

Bridgewater never trailed in the game as the Bears jumped out to an early 3-0 lead.  Westfield pulled to within a goal on two occasions in the first half, but could not tie the game up. After the Owls made it 7-6 with 5:35 remaining in the opening stanza, BSC answered with eight straight goals to put the game out of reach.

BSC held a 40-25 edge in shots as well as a 22-16 advantage in draw controls.  The Bears also converted 5 of 6 free position attempts while the Owls were 0-for-3. 

Sophomore attack Ally Brown (Andover, MA) paced Westfield with three goals and a pair of draw controls, while freshman midfielder Laura Chiricosta (Lexington, MA) added two goals and an assist. Freshman midfielder Rachel Dionne (Feeding Hills, MA) potted a goal and led all players with six draw controls.

Freshman Katie Weber (Arlington, MA) turned aside 12 shots to pick up her fourth win of the season between the pipes for the Bears.  Junior netminder Missy MacNeil (Walpole, MA) recorded seven saves in goal for the Owls.

Bridgewater is back in action on Thursday at 4 PM as the Bears host non-conference foe Tufts University.  Westfield hosts NEWLA rival Castleton State College on Saturday at 1.