BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Sophomore midfielder Shannon Manning (Framingham, MA) scored four goals and added four assists to lead the Bridgewater State College women's lacrosse team to a 21-9 victory over Plymouth State University this afternoon in Bridgewater.
With the win, the Bears snapped a nine-game losing streak to Panthers. The last time Bridgewater defeated Plymouth was in the NEWLA championship game back in 1999. Bridgewater ends the regular season with a record of 12-4 as the Bears have won seven of their last eight games. Plymouth completes the regular season schedule with a 1-11 mark.
Manning increased her season totals to 44 goals and 44 assists for 88 points. Her 88 points are the fourth highest single-season total in BSC women's lacrosse history as she surpassed Stacie Dufour who registered 87 points in 2001. Manning now needs four assists to break Paula Habel's single-season school mark of 47 assists set in 2002. Habel also holds the Bears single-season scoring mark with 99 points in 2002.
Leading 5-3 midway through the first half, the Bears tallied eight straight goals to end the half and took control of the game. Plymouth scored five of the first six goal of the second stanza to cut the deficit to 14-8, but BSC outscored the Panthers 7-1 over the final 22 minutes to secure the win.
Bridgewater State senior midfielder Lauryn Serratore (Norwood, MA) scored four goals and assisted on another. She also came within two draw controls of the Bears' single-game record as she was credited with 13 draws on the afternoon. Corinne Baker holds the BSC mark with 15 in a 2004 game against Elms College.
Freshmen attackers Courtney Lennon (Medfield, MA) and Jenny Jones (Framingham, MA) also filled up the score sheet for BSC as they tallied five goals and four goals respectively. Jones now has 52 goals on the season as she is within one goal of the Bears' single-season rookie record of 53 set by Dufour and Laura Swart in 2000.
Sophomore netminder Meghan Griffin (Billerica, MA) turned aside eight shots to pick up her seventh win of the season for the Bears. Griffin (7-3) also recorded a game-high six groundballs and caused two turnovers.
Sophomore attack Taylor Cambal (West Yarmouth, MA) paced the Panthers with five goals and an assist. Senior Sarah Beebe (Rumson, NJ) made 15 saves between the pipes in the loss.
Bridgewater held a 43-21 advantage in shots for the game, as well as a 24-7 edge in draw controls. The Bears converted 4 of 7 free position attempts, while Plymouth State finished 1-for-3.
Bridgewater State will host Westfield State College in the semifinals of the 2008 New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament. The Bears are the top seed in the tournament as they were undefeated in conference play this season with a perfect 7-0 mark.