BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Junior defender Kelly Downs (Hanover, MA) tallied a penalty stroke goal and assisted on the game-winner to lead the Bridgewater State College field hockey team to a 2-0 shutout victory over Fitchburg State in a Little East Conference match this afternoon in Bridgewater.
With the win, Bridgewater State improves to 5-7 on the season and 4-3 in the Little East as the Bears put an end to Fitchburg's four-game winning streak. The Falcons fall to 7-5 overall and 4-3 in conference play.
Junior forward Stephanie Barry (Pembroke, MA) opened the scoring just over seven minutes into the game as she notched her third goal of the season off an assist from Downs. The Bears held onto the 1-0 lead until Downs made it a two-goal cushion as she converted a penalty stroke attempt in the opening minutes of the second half.
BSC's defense stymied the Fitchburg State attack all game long as the Bears limited the Falcons to just three shots, only one of which was on frame. Sophomore goaltender Katie Weber (Arlington, MA) was forced to make just one second half save to earn her fifth win of the season. Weber turned the game over to back-up netminder Chelsea Bracchi (Pembroke, MA) with 18:19 left to play and with the Bears holding a 2-0 lead. Bracchi did not face any shots during her time between the pipes.
The Bears outshot the Falcons by a margin of 16-3, while also holding a 15-3 advantage in penalty corners. Fitchburg State sophomore goaltender Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, MA) made eight saves in goal for the Falcons while freshman defender Saralyn Byler (Belleville, PA) added two defensive saves.
Bridgewater is off until next Saturday when the Bears host Little East foe Western Connecticut State University at 2 PM. Fitchburg entertains Salve Regina University on Tuesday evening at 7 PM.