By Jim Fenton

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team lost its third straight game on Saturday afternoon.

The Bears were blanked by Westfield State University, 4-0, at Alumni Field. The Owls have now defeated BSU six straight times.

Westfield State took a 2-0 lead in the first period, then added single goals in the final two periods.

Junior Kaleigh Murphy (Pembroke, Mass.) had two goals while senior Leah Pierce (Barnstable, Mass.) and junior Erin Lane (Canton, Mass.) each had a goal and an assist for the Owls.

BSU is now 3-6 and 1-3 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference. Westfield State 6-6 and 3-1 in the MASCAC after its third win in a row.

The Owls took a 1-0 lead 6:15 into the game on a goal by Pierce with Lane assisting.

Westfield State made it 2-0 at 8:39 when Murphy scored from Pierce.

Lane added an unassisted goal at 44:23 in the third period while Murphy scored an unassisted goal at 48:06 in the fourth period.

BSU sophomore Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.) had three shots on goal and junior Lexi James (Ipswich, Mass.) registered two shots on goal.

The Owls held a 19-8 advantage in shots and 15-6 in penalty corners.

Bears junior goalkeeper Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.) made seven saves while Westfield State junior Emma Gniadek (Worcester, Mass.) stopped six shots.

BSU will host Fitchburg State at 4 p.m. on Saturday while Westfield State will host Framingham State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.