BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - In an overtime thriller, the Bridgewater State College field hockey team trumped Western Connecticut State University, 1-0, this afternoon at Swenson Field. BSC freshman midfielder Stephanie Lannon (Swampscott, MA) picked an opportune time to score her first collegiate goal as she buried the ball into the back of the net during a desperate scrum in middle of the circle in the 83rd minute.
It was Bridgewater State's third shutout victory of the season as the Bears improved to 6-7 overall and 5-3 in the Little East Conference. WCSU suffered their sixth straight loss as the Colonial dropped to 2-12 overall and 1-7 in conference play.
The Bridgewater defense was impenetrable for most of the game, allowing just one shot to WCSU's junior midfielder Meredith Stuart (Washington, CT), coming in the middle of overtime. The shot soared and hit the near-side pipe, preserving what would have been a heartbreaking loss.
Western Connecticut freshman goalie Laura Damico (New Milford, CT), despite the loss, was unbelievable in net. Damico kept the Colonials in the game, with diving saves and aggressively coming out of the net, as she thwarted numerous scoring opportunities throughout the game. Damico finished with 18 saves as her team was outshot by a margin of 27-1.
BSC sophomore goaltender Katie Weber (Arlington, MA) recorded her second shutout of the season as she improved her win/loss record to 6-7. Weber faced just the one shot and did not have to make any saves.
The Bears travel to Framingham State College on Wednesday afternoon (3:30) to take on the Rams. Bridgewater is currently tied for second place in the Little East standings. Western Connecticut travels to Worcester State College on Wednesday for a 7 o'clock game with the Lancers.