BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team has been picked to finish in fourth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2025 MASCAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received 24 points in the poll including a pair of first-place votes. Fitchburg State University and Westfield State University tied for the top spot in the preseason poll as they both notched 31 points. The Falcons picked up three first-place votes while the Owls notched one. Worcester State University finished third in the poll with 26 points and a first-place vote.

Under the guidance of head coach Ashley Bishop (4th year), the BSU field hockey team opens the 2025 campaign on Friday, August 29th when the Bears welcome Plymouth State University to Mazzaferro Field for a seven o'clock game.

Bridgewater will open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play on Tuesday, September 16th as the Bears travel to Fitchburg State University to take on the Falcons at seven.

Returning All-MASCAC selections Samantha Souza (So., F, Dartmouth, Mass.) and Abbie Zuber (Jr., M, Westport, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2025.

Bridgewater finished in fifth place in the 2024 MASCAC standings with a 4-6 conference mark (10-11 overall). Seeded fifth in the MASCAC Tournament, the Bears knocked off fourth-seeded Framingham State, 4-1, in the quarterfinals and stunned top-seeded Fitchburg State, 1-0, in the semifinals before dropping a heartbreaking 2-1 decision to second-seeded Westfield State in the title game.

The 2025 Bears reported for for preseason camp last Friday (Aug. 15) and hit the practice field for the first time on Saturday.