Bridgewater, MA -
During their inaugural season in 2017-2018, the Bridgewater State Women’s hockey team was a new and budding program who had just come together out of interests from class members. They were able to start the program, schedule some games and get the ball rolling on a new club sport here at Bridgewater State, and things for the Women’s Ice Hockey team were looking good. Coming into the 2018-2019 season, it’s hard to say if they thought things would go as well as they had though, having a fantastic 2nd season of operation.
The season started off well for the 2018-2019 iteration of the Women’s Ice Hockey club, finding themselves to be off to a good start with an opening win against Stonehill College in September. A hard fought loss at home against Curry would put a slight hold on the roll though, as the opening home game of the season did not go their way.
After a nice 3 game winning streak was stopped by University of Maine at home, the Bears were able to go on a staggering 8 game winning streak. This moved them to the top of the Adirondack East Division, and kept them there for the rest of the way. Bridgewater State ended the season with a hard fought loss to UMass Lowell, but this did not knock them from their place as the regular season champions for their division. The Bears had com piled an impressive record of 12-3, which propelled them into the league playoffs.
The Bears squared off against Adirondack West Division runners-up Keene State College, and played a classic. 6 to 4 final in favor of the Bears, this moved the team into the final against Norwich University, which did not disappoint. Led by head coach Dan Norton, the Bears were able to play to a tough 3-3 tie, with the game going to a shootout. The Bears were able to take the win, and be crowned champions of the Adirondack Division playoffs in just their 2nd year of operation. A great achievement for a new club, that will continue to improve and compete with the best.
Congratulations again to all of the women who worked to make this club a possibility, as well as leading them to a championship in the process!
Article courtesy of intern Joe Vinay (BSU Class of 2019)