Women's Soccer Holds Off Keene State, 2-1

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team edged visiting Keene State College, 2-1, in a non-conference tilt on Thursday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The host Bears improve to 4-3 on the season with their fourth straight win, while the Owls fall to 3-5. Bridgewater has won two of the last three meetings of the two teams. Keene State, however, still maintains a 19-2-1 advantage in the all-time series.

Senior forwards Emma Sanders (Seekonk, Mass.) and Amelia Burke (Plymouth, Mass.) each netted their first goals of the season for the Bears, while classmate Alana Vincent (Taunton, Mass.) notched two assists.

It was the Owls who were poised to take the early lead as they were awarded a penalty kick in the 15th minute of play. BSU senior goalkeeper Kellie Souza (Wilmington, Mass.), however, made an outstanding diving save on the PK attempt by senior midfielder Patricia Norton (Hampton, Conn.) and promptly stopped Norton's ensuing rebound try.

Sanders opened the scoring off an assist from Vincent in the 26th minute. Vincent slipped a pass between two defenders and Sanders flicked a shot over the keeper's head from 20 yards out. The goal came moments after Souza turned aside a quality Keene State scoring opportunity.

The Bears, who took the 1-0 lead into the break, were flagged for three offsides within the first 12 minutes of the game and five in the first half.

Burke extended the BSU advantage to 2-0 just 1:13 into the second half. Vincent set up the goal with a perfectly placed cross inside the six. Burke collected the pass and slid a shot by the off-balance keeper and into the center of the net. Senior defender Kaitlyn Bongarzone (Mansfield, Mass.) picked up the secondary assist on the strike.

Junior forward Jordan Abasciano (Auburn, Mass.) cut the deficit in half for the Owls in the 77th minute. Abasciano corralled the rebound of a blocked shot at the top of the 18 and fired a shot inside the right post.

Keene State kept the pressure on and nearly tied it in the 84th minute on a shot labeled for under the crossbar by Abasciano from 13 yards out. Souza, however, made a terrific leaping save and knocked the ball over the bar to help secure the victory.

The Owls finished with a 23-7 shot advantage for the game including a 15-8 edge in the second half. Each team had four corner kick attempts, while the Bears were flagged for seven offside calls.

Souza turned aside 11 shots to record her fourth win of the season. Junior netminders Shelby Offord (Shelton, Conn.) and Abbie Terrinca (Ludlow, Mass.) combined to make six saves for the Keene State.

In upcoming action, the Bears entertain MASCAC rival Westfield State University on Saturday at noon. The Owls are off until next Wednesday (Oct. 2) when they host Salve Regina University at 5:00 PM.

Notes: Vincent tied Megan Williamson (2005-08) for eighth place on the Bears all-time scoring list as she now has 53 points (22G, 9A) in her career.