Women's Lacrosse Rolls to 21-10 MASCAC Victory; Adams Sets Wins Mark

By Jim Fenton

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Erica Adams has set the record for most wins in a career by a Bridgewater State University lacrosse coach.

Adams took over sole possession of the top spot on the all-time list Monday when the Bears broke a two-game losing streak, defeating Fitchburg State University, 21-10.

The win gives Adams, who began coaching at BSU in 2016, a career record of 92-65.

The previous all-time winningest coach was Erika Smith, who went 91-35 while coaching at her alma mater for seven seasons (2006-11 and 2013).

The Bears were led by seniors Erin McIntyre (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Camryn Gonsalves (East Bridgewater, Mass.) with five goals each.

McIntyre added two assists while Gonsalves reached the 50-goal mark this season.

BSU improved to 10-3 and is 2-1 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Bears are also 6-1 on the road this season.

It marks the sixth time in Adams' career that BSU has won at least 10 games.

Fitchburg State dropped to 2-10 and is 1-2 in the conference.

After falling behind, 4-3, near the midway point of the first period, the Bears scored nine straight goals to open a 12-4 lead and were in front, 14-5, at halftime.

BSU led, 20-6, after three periods on the way to the win.

After a goal by junior Jessica St. George (Dracut, Mass.) put the Falcons up, 4-3, with 7:21 to go in the first period, the Bears got two goals from McIntyre and one from junior Ashley Silva (Rowley, Mass.) to take a 6-4 lead by the end of the period.

The Bears opened the second period with goals by three goals by Gonsalves, two by McIntyre and one by senior Katy Shaw (Centerville, Mass.) in 5:24 for a 12-4 lead with 9:21 to go in the half.

McIntyre and graduate student Riley Bina (Abington, Mass.) added goals 1:26 apart late in the half for the 14-5 lead at the break.

BSU scored the first four goals of the second half, getting scores from juniors Katie Lamothe (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Meredith Sylvia (South Dartmouth, Mass.) and two from Bina, for an 18-5 lead.

Senior Melanie McClay (Plymouth, Mass.) and Gonsalves added goals in the final 3:11, Gonsalves getting her 50th with 1:22 remaining.

Lamothe was the lone BSU goal scorer in the fourth period when it was outscored, 4-1.

Bina scored three times while Lamothe, Silva and Sylvia added two each for BSU.

St. George and senior Autumn Tibbetts (Lunenburg, Mass.) had three goals apiece for the Falcons.

Freshman Sara Skaff (Lowell, Mass.) made three saves in the first three period for BSU while freshman Riley Guenette (Johnston, R.I.) had three stops in the fourth period.

Fitchburg State's Elizabeth Smith (Plymouth, Mass.) had 15 saves.

Bridgewater finished with a 40-24 shot advantage for the game as well as a 23-12 edge in draw controls. Freshman Sophia Fleurent (Fairhaven, Mass.) led all players with nine draw controls, while Sylvia notched seven draw controls, including the 100th of her career, and McIntyre tallied five draws.

The Bears went 12-for-13 on clear attempts and converted 4 of 7 free position attempts.

BSU plays its final road game on Wednesday, facing Salem State at 4 pm.

Fitchburg State is at Clark University on Wednesday at 7 p.m.