BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Tori O'Dea (South Dennis, Mass.) tallied the lone goal of the game with 8:28 remaining in regulation to lift the Bridgewater State University field hockey team to a 1-0 victory over non-conference foe Thomas College on Sunday afternoon at Swenson Field.
The Bears, who have not allowed a goal in two games this season, improve to 2-0 on the young season, while the visiting Terriers drop to 1-2.
Bridgewater held a distinct territorial advantage throughout the contest as the Bears outshot the Terriers, 15-4, and held a 19-5 edge in penalty corners.
BSU junior netminder Kaylyn Allahyarian (Norwell, Mass.) made three saves in the contest to record her first win and shutout of the season. Allahyarian made a crucial stop with just over four minutes remaining to preserve the win as she flashed her left pad on a shot from senior forward Taylor Bergeron (Lyman, Maine).
Allahyarian also made a great play on a Terrier scoring chance ten minutes into the second half as she came out of her net to break up a potential breakaway opportunity.
Thomas junior goaltender Abbie Charrier (Waldo, Maine) played well in the setback. Charrier made two kick-out saves within the first minute of the contest and finished with six saves on the afternoon.
The Bears had a number of opportunities to crack the scoreboard but were unable to convert until O'Dea's late heroics. Junior midfielder Brittany Cullinane (Lunenburg, Mass.) slid a shot just wide of the post in the ninth minute of action, and two minutes later senior midfielder Emily Mosca (Dedham, Mass.) flipped a shot that also sailed just wide.
Senior forward Brittney Field (Hubbardston, Mass.) nearly converted on a penalty corner in the 26th minute, however her shot was deflected wide of the post. Senior midfielder Alison Loranger (East Freetown, Mass.) also had a great opportunity on a corner with just under four minutes remaining in the first half but her wrist shot was turned aside by Charrier.
Loranger had another quality chance in the opening minutes of the second half but her shot was deflected wide of the net. A kick-out save by Charrier thwarted a great scoring opportunity by senior midfielder Mary Roche (Arlington, Mass.) on a corner later in the period.
The Bears finally broke through off a penalty corner with 8:28 remaining as O'Dea jumped on the rebound of a Janet Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) shot and buried a shot into the unguarded net.
Bridgewater was able to hang on the rest of the way as the Bears posted their second shutout in as many games and extended their shutout streak to 160 minutes and 49 seconds to start the season.
The Bears return to action on Wednesday afternoon when they travel to Wellesley College for a 4:30 game with the Blue. Thomas entertains Colby College on Wednesday at five.