BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior forward
Katie Balboni (Townsend, MA) notched her first
career hat trick to lead the Bridgewater State College field hockey
team to a convincing 4-0 shutout victory over regional rival
Wheaton College this afternoon in Bridgewater. The win marked
BSC’s first victory over the Lyons since 2002.
The Bears also stopped a three-game scoreless drought against
Wheaton as they had not scored a goal against the Lyons since a 3-2
double overtime loss back in 2003.
Freshman forward Bethany Bush (Littleton, MA) gave
BSC a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the game off a feed from
junior midfielder Stacy Takis (Georgetown, MA).
Then Balboni took over, notching her first goal of the season at
the 4:46 mark with the assist going to fellow senior Ashley
Panzini (Saugus, MA).
Balboni increased the lead to 3-0 off a penalty corner in the game’s 17th minute as she redirected a perfect cross from senior midfielder Courtney Sergio (West Bridgewater, MA) into the back of the net. Balboni then completed the hat trick early in the second half as she and Sergio hooked up once again at the 44:13 mark to round out the scoring.
Three Bridgewater State keepers combined on the shutout with senior Nicole Downs (Hanover, MA) picking up her fourth win of the season. Downs turned aside 4 shots in the first half before being replaced by sophomore Chelsea Bracchi (Pembroke, MA) after the break. Bracchi and freshman Katie Weber (Arlington, MA), who was making her first collegiate appearance, both saw action in the second half with Weber making a pair of saves.
Sophomore defender Kelly Downs (Hanover, MA) also made two defensive saves to help preserve the shutout.
The Bears (4-1) are off to their best start since 1995 when the team began the season with five straight wins. BSC will hit the road for the first time this season as they will take on Little East Conference rival Keene State College on Saturday at 1:30. Wheaton (5-3) opens up conference (NEWMAC) play at WPI on Saturday at 2.