By Jim Fenton
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's lacrosse team picked up its second straight win on Senior Day at Mazzaferro Field Saturday.
The Bears improved to 3-2 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference with a 16-4 victory over Fitchburg State University.
Meredith Sylvia (Dartmouth, Mass.), one of four seniors honored before the game, had a career-best eight points with a season-high five goals and three assists to lead BSU (5-10).
Syliva has a team-leading 35 goals this season and 145 goals in her career. Her career-high for goals is seven against Salem State in 2025 and she also had five against Mass. Maritime Academy last season.
Freshman Kate Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) and sophomore Sophia Fleurent (Fairhaven, Mass.) each scored three times to go with an assist. Fleurent now has 27 goals and 13 assists.
The Bears were ahead, 4-2, after one period, then scored seven unanswered goals in the second period for an 11-2 halftime edge.
Fitzpatrick and Fleurent scored in the opening 4:44 for a quick 2-0 lead before Fitchburg State junior Hannah Azzari (Haverhill, Mass.) netted a goal.
BSU was up, 4-1, after goals by Sylvia less than four minutes apart, and junior Noelle Kennedy (West Roxbury, Mass.) had a goal for the Falcons with 1:36 remaining.
The Bears dominated the second period, scoring five times in the opening 6:13 for a 9-2 advantage.
Sylvia, senior Ashley Silva (Rowley, Mass.), Fitzpatrick, Fleurent and sophomore Taylor Carter (Walpole, Mass.) had the goals for BSU.
Sophomore Jade Munoz (Mendon, Mass.) then scored with 4:07 to go in the half and senior Erin Henn (Ronkonkona, N.Y.) followed with a goal with 1:54 to go for an 11-2 halftime lead.
The Bears went up, 13-2, on goals by Fitzpatrick and Sylvia in the third period. Senior Jessica St. George (Dracut, Mass.) had a goal for the Falcons (7-8, 2-3 MASCAC) in the period.
In the final 15 minutes, junior Samantha Azzari (Haverhill, Mass.) scored 2:19 into the period for Fitchburg State.
Sylvia had her fifth goal with 10 minutes left and Fleurent scored with 6:39 remaining while sophomore Lizzy Deacon (Amesbury, Mass.) had the final goal with two minutes to go.
Sophomore goalkeeper Sara Skaff (Lowell, Mass.) recorded the win, making 10 saves.
Three goalkeepers played for the Falcons, including sophomore Dakin Kovatch (White River Junction, Vt.), freshman Alexis Muse (Stafford, N.H.) and junior Caitlin Persson (Worcester, Mass.). They combined to make 11 saves.
Bridgewater finished with a 35-22 shot advantage as well as a 23-14 edge in ground balls. Draw controls were 13-9 in favor of Fitchburh with freshman Nevaeh Chiacchia (Monson, Mass.) leading all players with seven.
The Bears went 14-for-20 on clear attempts while the Falcons were just 7-for-14.
Prior to the game, BSU honored four seniors -- Katie Lamothe (Dartmouth, Mass.), Sylvia, Henn and Silva.
The Bears play their final regular-season home game Tuesday at 7 p.m., hosting Salem State on Excel/Best Buddies Night.
Fitchburg State will hosts Anna Maria at 6 p.m. Tuesday to kick off the final week of the regular season.
Notes: With four draw controls today, Fleurent now has 160 in her career as she tied Patricia Maloney (2008-11) for sixth place on the Bears' all-time list.