BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women’s soccer team ended last season on an encouraging note.
In the semifinal round of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament, the sub-.500 Bears took regular-season and tournament champion Worcester State to overtime before losing, 2-1.
Second-year coach Yasmina Carvalho of Brockton is hoping BSU can build on that showing this season with eight returning starters.
“We had some difficult times, but by the end of the season we went on a roll and made it to the semifinals,’’ said Carvalho, a former BSU player. “Our record wasn’t very good (6-12-1), but we made it to the semifinals against the conference champs who went to the NCAAs.
“That kind of proved we didn’t stop fighting. We kept pushing ourselves and had a never-give-up mentality. That has come into this season. I think we’re way more skilled and ahead of the game.’’
The Bears open their season on Tuesday afternoon at Babson College before hosting Wheaton College on Sept. 5.
In the MASCAC preseason poll, BSU is picked third with Framingham State behind Worcester State and Westfield State. The Bears were 3-4 in the conference last season.
With a year under her belt, Carvalho is confident there will be improvement this fall.
“As a new coach last year, it was difficult and different showing them the type of soccer I want them to play,’’ said the 2010 BSU graduate. “The returning players are doing a fantastic job of teaching the new people about how we play BSU soccer and how we use our possession game to our advantage.
“They’re teaching the little things and all we have to focus on as coaches is tactics and preparing for teams.’’
The Bears received a boost when former Coyle-Cassidy High standout Lauren DeSousa transferred from Pace University. The goalkeeper had a 0.86 goals-against average while making 17 starts as a freshman last season.
“Having Lauren as a goalkeeper is going to be really solid for us,’’ said Carvalho. “She can really make some outstanding saves that can keep us in the hard games.’’
Defense should be a strong point for BSU with returning players Allison LeBel, a co-captain, and Olivia Planty joined by freshmen Molly Shield and Kassidy Campbell.
The midfielders include seniors Brooke Pacheco and Marissa Yowell, and junior Drew Guay.
The offense took a hit when Mackenzie Hatfield decided not to play this season. The Whitman-Hanson graduate had 14 goals and three assists last season and ranks fourth in career points with 80, third with 20 assists and fifth with 30 goals.
Without Hatfield, BSU will look for sophomore Courtney Pepin, who had seven goals and four assists, to lead the way.
“We’re expecting big things out of her,’’ said Carvalho.
Freshmen Taylor Loyd of Bridgewater, who played at Silver Lake, Caitlin Rowley and Melissa Morton will also play up front.