FRAMINGHAM, Mass. – The Framingham State University field hockey team edged visiting Bridgewater State University, 4-3, on Tuesday afternoon in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC ) affair at Maple Street Field.

The Rams improve to 4-4 on the season and 2-1 in the MASCAC, while the Bears fall to 2-5 overall and 0-3 in conference play.

Bridgwater jumped out to an early 1-0 lead as Lexi James (Ipswich, Mass.) finished off a pass from Jordyn Perry (Nantucket, Mass.) just 3:21 into the contest.

The Rams answered when Kaylee Beck gathered a rebound and passed it to Emma Bailey who snuck a shot inside the right post to knot the score at 1-1 with 3:13 left to play in the first quarter.

Framingham took its first lead of the afternoon in the 19th minute as Kaitlin Loughlin tipped home a long strike from Isabella Kondi. The Rams would take the 2-1 advantage into the intermission.

Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.) potted the equalizer for the visitors with only 49 seconds showing on the third quarter scoreboard. Gagnon squeaked a shot past the charging Rams' goalkeeper to even the score at two.

Just 50 seconds into the final period (99 seconds after the Bears tied it up), the Rams reclaimed the lead when Ashley Malmquist finished off a one-time pass from Kondi.

Framingham extended the lead in the 52nd minute as Kondi sent a cross that was tipped inside the left post by Brandi Core.

The Bears cut into the deficit when James scored her second of the afternoon and team-leading fifth of the season with just over two minutes remaining in the game. Less than a minute later, Bridgewater was awarded a penalty corner, but the Bears were unable to capitalize as the Rams hung on for the 4-3 win.

Shots were even at 12 apiece while Bridgewater finished with a 5-3 edge in penalty corner attempts.

Kaitlyn Tello made five saves in the win for the Rams while Catherine Daoulas (Marshfield,, Mass.) turned away five shots in the setback for the Bears.

The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Saturday afternoon. The Rams travel to Worcester State University to take on the Lancers at three o'clock, while the the Bears host Westfield State University at four.