Field Hockey Blanks Fitchburg State, 3-0

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Senior forward Katie Swart (Bridgewater, Mass.) potted a pair of goals to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University field hockey team to a 3-0 shutout victory over Fitchburg State University in a Little East Conference (LEC) matchup on a rainy Tuesday afternoon at Elliot Field.

The Bears improve to 3-4 on the season and 1-2 in the Little East, while the host Falcons fall to 1-8 overall and 0-4 in conference play. The game marked the 36th meeting between the two squads in the sport of field hockey with the Bears now holding a 27-8-1 lead in the all-time series.

After being outshot 7-1 in the first half and not taking a penalty corner, the Bears rebounded with a strong second half. Bridgewater held an 8-4 shot advantage over the final 30 minutes while penalty corners were even at eight apiece.

Swart broke a scoreless tie as she converted off a penalty corner with time expired in the third quarter. After the Fitchburg keeper came way out of the net to defend a potential shot attempt by sophomore forward Kelly Sharkey (Salisbury, Mass.), Swart corralled the loose ball and rifled a shot inside the right post.

The Bears capitalized again off a penalty corner as sophomore midfielder Charlotte McElroy (Carver, Mass.) knocked home the rebound of a Jordyn Perry (Nantucket, Mass.) shot to make it a 2-0 game with 6:51 left to play in the game.

Less than two minutes later, Swart put the finishing touches on the 3-0 victory with her team-leading third goal of the season. Sophomore midfielder Hannah Rolfe (Easton, Mass.) set up the goal with a long pass from outside the circle that split multiple defenders. Swart corralled the pass and beat the goalie one-on-one with a shot inside the left post.

The Falcons outshot the Bears 11-9 for the game and finished with a 17-8 edge in penalty corners.

BSU freshman goalkeeper Emily Ronan (North Billerica, Mass.) turned aside eight shots to record her second shutout of the season. The Bears also received a defensive save from senior midfielder Victoria Camara (Westport, Mass.).

Sophomore Jenna Morse (Leominster, Mass.) played the first 30 minutes in between the pipes for the Falcons and recorded one save. Junior Colleen Lamprey (Cherry Valley, Mass.) came on in relief to start the second half notched three saves for the Green and Gold. Sophomore defender Emma Ganley (Auburn, Mass.) added one defensive save for Fitchburg State.

Both teams are back in action on Thursday evening. The Bears host Anna Maria College at seven, while the Falcons entertain Rivier University at six.