BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team posted a 1-0 shutout victory over visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Senior Day at Swenson Field.
The Bears improve to 9-4-2 on the season and 4-1-1 in the MASCAC, while the Buccaneers fall to 2-8-3 overall and 0-5-1 in conference play. Bridgewater State is now 14-0 all-time versus the Buccaneers as the two teams have met every season since Mass. Maritime added women's soccer as a varsity sport in 2008.
Senior forward Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) tucked a shot under the crossbar from 30 yards out in the 12th minute for the only scoring of the day. The goal marked Belcher's team-leading tenth of the season and 30th of her career. Sophomore midfielder Mia Chrisafidies (Marlborough, Mass.) and sophomore defender Bailey Brown (Plymouth, Mass.) each assisted on the strike.
Belcher nearly gave the Bears a multi-goal advantage on two separate occasions in the second half as she rang the crossbar twice on long-range shots.
BSU freshman goalkeeper Logan Levesque (Bristol, R.I.) was forced to make just one save as she recorded her ninth win and fifth shutout of the season.
Sophomore netminder Reagan Kerecz (Tolland, Conn.) turned aside seven shots in the setback for the Buccaneers. Kerecz made an outstanding diving stop on a shot by BSU junior forward Audra McDuffie (Millbury, Mass.) in the 73rd minute to keep it a one-goal game.
Bridgewater State finished with a decided 29-4 shot advantage for the game as well as a 9-2 edge in corner kick attempts.
Prior to the start of the game, the Bears honored Belcher and fellow seniors Erin Clancey (Middletown, R.I.), Monica Eires (New Bedford, Mass.), Katerina Ganshaw (Harwich, Mass.) and Kelly Powers (Stoneham, Mass.).
The Bears are back in action on Wednesday night when they host UMass Boston at seven o'clock. The Buccaneers head to Rivier University on Monday to complete a suspended game with the Raiders.