Field Hockey Edges UMass Dartmouth, 2-1, in Strokes

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University field hockey team won in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field as the host Bears defeated Little East Conference foe UMass Dartmouth, 2-1, in a game decided by strokes.

Bridgewater extended its' winning streak to a program best nine games as the Bears improve to 12-2 on the season and 7-1 in the Little East.  UMass slips to 10-5 overall and 7-1 in conference play.  The two teams are in a three-way tied for second place in the LEC standings along with Plymouth State University.

The Bears tied the game on a goal by sophomore forward Jennifer Arnold (West Yarmouth, Mass.) with under two minutes remaining in regulation and then outscored the Corsairs, 2-0, in the stroke-off to complete the comeback victory.

The game was scoreless at the intermission with UMass holding a 5-3 edge in shots over the first 35 minutes as well as a 5-2 advantage in penalty corners. BSU senior netminder Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.) kept the Corsairs off the board with five first half saves including back-to-back brilliant stops midway through the frame.

BSU senior forward Demi Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.) had a golden opportunity two minutes into the second half as she hopped on a loose ball all alone in front of the net but was denied by UMass senior keeper Lauren O'Brien (Rochester, Mass.).

UMass broke up the scoreless game in the 52nd minute as senior midfielder Devon Herlihy (Stratham, N.H.) potted her fifth goal of the season off an assist from senior defender Tori Dolce (Jamestown, R.I.).  Off a scramble in front of the net, Dolce slipped a pass across the goal mouth and Herlihy tucked a shot inside the left post.

Bridgewater put the pressure on in the latter stages of the second half and were able to notch the equalizer with just 1:16 remaining. Senior defender Olivia Galvin (Mashpee, Mass.) drove to the net and her shot was redirected by sophomore forward Kelsey Kiely (Mansfield, Mass.) onto the stick of Arnold.  Arnold slipped a shot past the UMD keeper and into the left side of the net for her first collegiate goal and to knot the score at 1-1.

UMass had an opportunity to net the game-winner in the final minute as the Corsairs had a penalty corner attempt as the clock ticked to zero.  The visitors were unable to capitalize, however, as the teams headed to overtime.  Bridgewater held a 6-5 shot advantage in the second half, while UMass continued to dominate the penalty corner 7-2 edge in penalty corners.

The Corsairs had the edge in play in the first overtime session as the visitors had all four shots in the period and attempted four of the five penalty corners.

Bridgewater outshot UMass, 4-1, in the second overtime and put three shots on frame but could not dent the scoreboard.  The Corsairs had back-to-back penalty corners in the final minute but could do nothing with them as the game went to a stroke-off.

Miskiv and junior midfielder Jaclyn Holahan (South Yarmouth, Mass.) converted in strokes for Bridgewater, while Sturgeon denied each of the Corsairs' four shooters to give the Bears the 2-1 victory.

UMass finished with a 15-13 shot advantage for the game as well as a decided 20-6 edge in penalty corners.

Sturgeon (12-2) made 12 saves between the pipes for the Bears with three of those coming in overtime.  O'Brien (10-5) turned aside six shots for the Corsairs.

The Little East schedule resumes for both teams next Tuesday evening.  Bridgewater travels to Salem State for a six o'clock game with the Vikings, while UMass entertains the Falcons of Fitchburg State at seven.