BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore midfielder Emma Sanders (Seekonk, Mass.) tallied a pair of goals and senior goalkeeper Lauren DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) set the program record for shutouts as the Bridgewater State University women's soccer team defeated Keene State College for the first time in program history, 2-0, on Wednesday night at Swenson Field.
The Bears improve to 9-5 on the season, while the visiting Owls fall to 8-7. Until today's win, Bridgewater was 0-18-1 versus Keene since the two teams first met back in 1997.
Sanders opened the scoring in the 14th minute as she knocked home a perfectly executed crossing pass from sophomore midfielder Tess Nagle (Pembroke, Mass.). Senior forward Courtney Pepin (Uxbridge, Mass.) picked up the secondary assist on the goal.
Midway through the second half, the Bears were awarded a penalty kick as Sanders drew a foul in the box. Sanders then buried the PK attempt for her sixth goal of the season.
DeSousa finished with eight saves as she took over sole possession of the Bears' all-time shutout recorded with 22 ½. DeSousa eclipsed the previous standard of 21 ½ originally set by BSU Hall of Famer Tracey Ullathorne in 1995. The win also marked DeSousa's ninth of the season and 26th of her three-year BSU career.
Keene State held a 29-15 shot advantage including a decided 18-6 edge in the second half. All eight of the Owls' corner kick attempts also occurred over the final 45 minutes.
Despite Keene holding a decided territorial advantage in the second half, it was the Bears who had the best scoring chance in the stanza (other than the PK) as Pepin rang the right post on a breakaway bid in the 66th minute.
Freshman netminder Shelby Offord (Shelton, Conn.) turned aside four shots in the setback for the Owls.
The Bears travel to Mass. Maritime Academy on Friday night for a seven o'clock Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game with the Buccaneers. The Owls host Little East Conference foe Rhode Island College on Saturday afternoon at one.