BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the third time this season, Bridgewater State University freshman forward Samantha Souza has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Field Hockey Rookie of the Week.

Souza scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner, in the Bears' 4-1 MASCAC Tournament quarterfinal round victory over Framingham State University. The Dartmouth, Massachusetts product also helped the Bears earn a 1-0 win over top-seeded Fitchburg State University in the tournament semifinals to advance to the conference championship game.

In 19 games this season, all starts, Souza recorded a team-best 12 goals to go along with a pair of assists for 26 points. She is presently tied for second among the MASCAC leaders in goals, ranks fifth in scoring, and is tied for fourth in game-winning goals (3).

Souza also earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week honors on September 30th and October 21st.

The BSU field hockey team wrapped up the 2024 campaign with an overall record of 10-11. Seeded fifth in the MASCAC Tournament with a 4-6 conference mark, the Bears knocked off the fourth-seeded Rams in the quartfinals and stunned the top-seeded Falcons in the semifinals before dropping a heart-breaking 2-1 decision to second-seeded Westfield State University in the conference title game.