Box Score 

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – In collegiate field hockey action this afternoon at Swenson Field, sophomore midfielder Stephanie Barry (Pembroke, MA) notched her first two collegiate goals to lift the host Bears of Bridgewater State College to a 2-1 victory over Babson College.

The win snapped an 11-year losing streak versus Babson as the Bears had dropped 11 consecutive decisions to the Beavers since last defeating them on September 21, 1995.
The win also marks BSC’s first season-opening victory since the 2002 campaign. Babson remains winless as they fall to 0-3 on the young season.

Barry opened the scoring 19:01 into the game as she converted off a penalty corner. Senior forward Katie Balboni (Townsend, MA) and junior midfielder Ashley Nardone (West Yarmouth, MA) were credited with the assists on the goal. Barry gave the Bears a 2-0 advantage just over 14 minutes into the second half as she notched an unassisted tally at the 49:15 mark.

Babson cut the deficit to 2-1 on a goal by sophomore forward Jess Palladino (Turner, ME) at the 57:48 mark. However, that would be the only shot the Beavers would record in the second half as the Bears used a stifling defense to thwart any chance of a comeback.

BSC senior goaltender Nicole Downs (Hanover, MA) picked up the win in goal for the Bears as she turned aside 6 shots, all of which came in the first half. Sophomore defender Kelly Downs (Hanover, MA), younger sister of Nicole, came up with a big defensive save which kept Babson off the board in the first half. Babson sophomore keeper Emily Cohen (West Grove, PA) registered 4 saves in goal for the Beavers.

Bridgewater State is back in action on Saturday at 11 AM as they host UMass-Dartmouth in a Little East Conference match-up. Babson travels to Bates College on Saturday for a noontime game with the Bobcats.