BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Bridgewater State College sophomore forward Bethany Bush (Littleton, MA) tallied the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the host Bears to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Salem State College in Little East Conference field hockey action this afternoon at Swenson Field.
With the win, BSC improves to 3-5 on the season and 2-1 in the Little East. Salem drops to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Trailing 1-0 late in the second half, junior forward Stephanie Barry (Pembroke, MA) notched the tying goal with just under six minutes remaining in regulation. Barry redirected a Bush shot past the Salem State keeper and into the left side of the goal.
That set the stage for Bush's heroics in overtime. With just over four minutes gone in the overtime session, Bush received a pass from Barry behind the Salem defense for a clean breakaway attempt. She stick-handled past the Lady Viking's goaltender and easily deposited the ball into the empty net.
The Bears held a 15-10 shot advantage for the game as well as a 15-7 edge in penalty corners. BSC outshot the Lady Vikings, 10-2, in the second half and overtime while also taking 11 penalty corners as opposed to just one for Salem during that span.
Salem had opened the scoring in the game's 27th minute as senior defender Julie Brooks (East Bridgewater, MA) converted a penalty stroke opportunity for her first goal of the season. The Lady Vikings were awarded the stroke attempt due to a Bridgewater State defender stopping the ball at the goal line with her feet.
BSC sophomore netminder Katie Weber (Arlington, MA) picked up her third win of the season as she turned aside eight shots. Weber was forced to make just two stops after halftime as Bridgewater dominated play in the second half and overtime. Salem State sophomore Jessica McKenna (Rowley, MA) recorded eight saves as well in the losing effort.
Bridgewater travels to Worcester State College on Saturday for a key Little East match with the Lancers. Game time is 2 PM. Salem hosts conference rival UMass Dartmouth on Saturday at 10 AM.