Field Hockey Edged By Bridgewater State At Home, 4-3

Worcester, MA --- Bridgewater State junior Brittney Field (Hubbardston, MA) potted two goals – including the game-winner with 9:40 remaining in regulation – to help lift the Bears to a 4-3 triumph in Little East Conference field hockey action this morning at Coughlin Field.

With the win the Bears improve to 5-6 while the Lancers fall to 7-4 in the setback. Both squads now spot identical 3-2 marks in LEC action.

Junior Megan Ripke (Westford, MA) helped give the Lancers the early 1-0 lead just 2:34 into the contest when she hit home her own rebounded save.

After BSU sophomore Kaylyn Allahyarian (Norwell, MA) made several spectacular saves to keep the game where it was, the visitors soon tied up the contest after Field tipped in a pass from the top of the apron by sophomore Brittany Cullinane (Lunenburg, MA), following a penalty corner with 21:19 off the clock.

The Lancers, however, took the 2-1 advantage into the break when junior Julie O'Rourke (Worcester, MA/St. Peter-Marian) sent a cross from the middle of the circle to classmate Erika Lepkowski (Baldwinville, MA), who chipped in the easy goal from the left side of the net.

To start off the second period, neither side got a good shot off for the first 15 minutes of play until Bridgewater State junior Mary Dubin (Holden, MA) connected on a rebounded shot to knot up the score 2-2.

The Bears took their first lead of the contest on a breakaway at the 56:08 mark. Junior Mary Roche (Arlington, MA) sent a pass from the midfield to freshman Tori O'Dea (S. Dennis, MA), who then beat the lone defender and the keeper for her first collegiate tally.

Worcester State answered less than three minutes later on a solid cross from the right side of the net by freshman Jolane Thibault (Douglas, MA) to senior Katelyn Abber (Dedham, MA) for the equalizer.

Bridgewater State wasted no time scoring the next goal as Field broke through the back line and she registered the deciding goal when she caught her own caromed shot and slipped it past WSU freshman net minder Kathryn Salemme (Boxboro, MA).

The last chance for either side was a Lancer penalty corner with 6:30 remaining in regulation, but the Bears defense was able to get the ball out of dodge and prevent another quality opportunity on net.

Salemme recorded three saves between the pipes while Ripke and sophomore Alli Baker (Somerset, MA) each recorded defensive stops for WSU. Allahyarian turned away seven chances between the pipes for the Bears in the victory.  

Worcester State led in shots (12-9) and held the slim 6-5 edge in corners.

With her single assist point, O'Rourke moved into a tie with Sarah Cozzens (2008-11) for 10th on the WSU's all-time scoring list (62 points).

Both squads host Little East opponents on Wednesday. The Lancers entertain Western Connecticut at 7 PM as Bridgewater State takes on Framingham State at 3:30.