BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University Bears cruised to an 21-8 victory over visiting Fitchburg State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's lacrosse action on Saturday evening at Swenson Field.

The game marked the MASCAC opener for both teams this season.  The Bears improve to 6-3 (1-0 MASCAC) with their fourth straight win, while the Falcons slip to 2-4 (0-1 MASCAC).

Sophomore midfielder Lauren Geary (Hull, Mass.) set the Bears all-time record for draw controls and also finished just one shy of her own single-game mark.  Geary, who potted four goals on the night, recorded a season-high 19 draws to increase her career total to 239.  She surpassed Shannon Manning's (2007-10) career mark of 231 draws set back in 2010.

BSU freshman attack Melissa Renauld (Framingham, Mass.) led all players with five goals to go along with three assists.  Junior attack Riley Cachelin (Westwood, Mass.) added a goal and a game-high five assists, while senior midfielder Taylor Clancy (Braintree, Mass.) notched three goals, two ground balls, three draws and two caused turnovers.

Senior attack Melanie Appleman (Hyannis, Mass.) chipped in with three goals for the Bears, while junior midfielder Katharine Trahan (Burlington, Mass.) tallied two goals and a pair of assists.

With the score tied at 2-2 early in the first half, Bridgewater ran off 11 straight goals to put the game well out of reach.  Seven different players scored for the Bears during the run led by three goals from Geary and two apiece by Appleman and Clancy.  BSU would take a 15-6 advantage into the intermission.

The Bears, whose biggest lead of the game was the final tally of 21-8, held a 32-19 shot advantage for the game as well as a 23-8 edge in draws.

BSU freshman goaltender Allie Forman (Marblehead, Mass.) registered six saves to post her fourth win of the season.

Senior midfielder Markie Apple (Pittsfield, Mass.), freshman midfielder Andrea Comeau (Watertown, Mass.) and freshman attack Ali Laferriere (Tyngsboro, Mass.) paced the Falcons with two goals apiece.  Apple also added three draws and three ground balls, while Comeau notched three ground balls and Laferriere recorded a pair of draws.

Sophomore Elizabeth Darrigo (Billerica, Mass.) turned aside eight shot between the pipes for the visitors.

The Bears are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Keene State College at seven.  The Falcons travel to Mount Ida College next Thursday afternoon to take on the Mustangs at 3:30.