Women's Soccer Plays to 1-1 Double Overtime Draw in Season Opener

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team and visiting UMass Dartmouth played to a 1-1 double overtime tie on Thursday night at rain-soaked Swenson Field.

The game marked the season opener for the host Bears (0-0-1), while the Corsairs see their record go to 2-0-1.

BSU junior forward Amelia Burke (Plymouth, Mass.) opened the scoring in the 38th minute with her first goal of the season. Sophomore defender Hannah Johnson (Whitman, Mass.) lofted a pass over the UMass defense and into the 18 to a streaking Burke who beat the UMD netminder one-on-one with a shot inside the left post. Junior midfielder Brianna Furtado (Hooksett, N.H.) also assisted on the goal.

Just over two minutes later, the Corsairs capitalized on a turnover forced by sophomore midfielder Hannah Sousa (Fall River, Mass.). Junior midfielder Nerida Montrond (Lynn, Mass.) hopped on the loose ball, dribbled away from two defenders and tucked a shot inside the right post from 20 yards out.

UMass had the two best scoring chances in the second half. The first came off the foot of UMass freshman midfielder Sarah Vieira (Dartmouth, Mass.) in the 74th minute. Vieira's shot labeled for inside the right post from eight yards out was turned aside by a diving save from BSU junior goalkeeper Kellie Souza (Wilmington, Mass.). Then with 40 seconds to go and with the goalie out of position, Sousa's shot from the right side of the six was turned away by BSU senior defender Kassidy Campbell (Norton, Mass.) who was stationed at the near post.

In overtime, senior midfielder Nicole Simas (Dartmouth, Mass.) nearly won the game for the Bears in the closing minutes of the second session off a long throw-in by Campbell, but her shot from seven yards out sailed over the crossbar.

Bridgewater State held a slight 16-14 edge in shots, while corner kicks attempts were even at nine apiece. The Bears were flagged for four offsides, the Corsairs for two.

Souza finished with three saves in her first collegiate start for Bridgewater State, while UMass sophomore keeper Jaimee O'Brien (West Springfield, Mass.) turned aside five shots.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon at one. The Bears travel to MIT to take on the Engineers, while the Corsairs head to Salem State University to battle the Vikings.