PAXTON, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University field hockey team notched its fourth consecutive shutout as the visiting Bears downed Anna Maria College, 2-0, on Thursday evening.
Sophomore midfielder Brittney Field (Hubbardston, Mass.) and senior forward Carissa Vizakis (Bellingham, Mass.) scored for the Bears who improved to 8-2 on the season with their fifth straight win. Bridgewater's shutout streak has stretched to 294 minutes and 31 seconds.
BSU senior goaltender Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.) recorded her sixth shutout of the season and 11th of her career as she turned aside five shots.
The win marked the 91st career coaching victory for BSU head coach Erika Smith (91-57, .615) who is in her eighth season at the helm. Smith is just one win shy of fellow BSU Hall of Famer Mary Lou Thimas' program mark of 92. Thimas produced a record of 92-35-26 (.686) in eight seasons as the Bears' head coach from 1979 to 1986.
Bridgewater dominated play from start to finish, outshooting the AMCATS by a margin of 37-5. The Bears also held a 16-1 advantage in penalty corners.
Field opened the scoring less than four minutes into the contest with her first goal of the season as she tipped in a long drive from senior forward Demi Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.). Miskiv extended her scoring streak to five games with the assist.
Vizakis made it a 2-0 game in the 59th minute after knocking home the rebound of her own shot. Vizakis, who moved into seventh place on the Bears' all-time scoring list, now has a team-leading eight goals on the season. She also extended her scoring streak to five games.
Anna Maria sophomore netminder Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, N.H.) made a season-high 21 saves including a penalty stroke stop in the 48th minute to keep it a 1-0 game at the time.
In upcoming action, the Bears host Worcester State University in a Little East Conference matchup on Saturday evening at six.
In upcoming action, the Bears host Worcester State University in a Little East Conference matchup on Saturday evening at six.