BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University field hockey team extended their winning streak to four games as the Bears knocked off conference rival Salem State University, 3-1, on a pleasant Columbus Day afternoon in Bridgewater.

The Bears improve to 6-4 on the season and 5-1 in the Little East, while Salem State falls to 4-6 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

Bridgewater opened the scoring in the 40th minute off a restart.  Senior midfielder Justine Fox (Harwich, Mass.) sent a shot inside the half circle that was corralled by classmate Bethany Bush (Littleton, Mass.).  Bush ripped a rising shot past Salem senior goalkeeper Jessica McKenna (Rowley, Mass.) to give BSU the 1-0 lead.  With the goal, Bush extended her season-long point scoring streak to nine games.

In the 57th minute off a penalty corner, senior defender Liz Correia (Somerset, Mass.) sent the ball towards the back post where sophomore forward Jill Caramello (Duxbury, Mass.) one-timed the pass into the back of the net for her first goal in a BSU uniform.

Just three minutes later, the Vikings were able to cut the deficit in half.  Off a penalty corner, senior forward April Rossetti (Saugus, Mass.) ripped a shot that was stopped by Bridgewater senior goalie Katie Weber (Arlington, Mass.).  Rossetti controlled her own rebound and was able to find the back of the net.

The Bears put the game away in the final minute, again capitalizing on a penalty corner. Correia sent a pass towards the back post and sophomore forward Megan Cullinane (Lunenburg, Mass.) one-timed a shot just inside the post.

Bridgewater held a 10-4 advantage in shots as well as a 10-5 edge in penalty corners.  Weber turned aside three shots to post her sixth win of the season, while McKenna registered six saves in the loss for the Vikings.

Bridgewater will look to extend its winning streak on Saturday when they host Little East foe Western Connecticut State University at 5:30.  Salem travels to St. Joseph's College on Tuesday for a three o'clock match with the Monks.