SALEM,  Mass. – The Salem State University field hockey team edged visiting Bridgewater State University, 1-0, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Thursday night at Alumni Field. The game marked the MASCAC opener for both teams.

The Vikings improve to 2-4 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season, while the Bears fall to 2-3-1 (0-1 MASCAC). Salem has won each of the last four meetings of the two teams while Bridgewater holds a 23-17-1 lead in the all-time series. The Vikings and the Bears have met every season since 1983.

Senior midfielder Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) scored off a scramble in front of the net following a penalty corner with just 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter to break a scoreless tie. The goal came just 26 seconds after the Bears had a player sent off with a green card. 

Salem held a 15-11 shot advantage for the game as well as a 12-10 edge in penalty corner attempts. Twelve of the 22 penalty corners came in the fourth quarter alone including eight for the Vikings.

Freshman goalkeeper Izzy Mosley (Middleboro, Mass.) made nine saves between the pipes for the Vikings to record her first collegiate shutout.

Sophomore netminder Catherine Daoulas (Marshfield, Mass.) turned aside eight shots in the setback for the Bears. Seven of Daoulas' eight saves came in the second half including five in the fourth quarter.

Senior forward Zoe Bergeron (Blackstone, Mass.) paced the Bridgewater offense with three shots on goal.

The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Saturday. The Bears host Worcester State University at 11:00 AM while the Vikings entertain Framingham State university at 3:00 PM.