Bridgewater State Topples Salem State

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's lacrosse team cruised to a 20-4 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Salem State University on Tuesday night at rain-soaked Swenson Field. Junior midfielder Mackenzie Schmink (Danvers, Mass.) led the way for Salem State with two goals, three ground balls and five draw controls.

The Bears improve to 7-7 on the season and 3-2 in the MASCAC, while the Vikings fall to 6-8 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Bridgewater is now 12-0 all-time versus Salem including a 6-0 mark at home.

The Bears scored the first five goals of the game and never looked back. Bridgewater led 5-1 after the first quarter and 11-2 at the break. An unassisted tally by freshman attack Camryn Gonsalves (East Bridgewater, Mass.) to open the second half gave the hosts a ten-goal advantage. The Bears outscored the Vikings 5-0 in the third quarter and 9-2 in the second half as they coasted to the 20-4 victory.

Eleven different players scored for Bridgewater State and 15 recorded at least one point. 

Senior midfielder Delaney Langton (Scituate, R.I.) led the BSU offense four goals and an assist to go along with a game-high seven draw controls, while freshman attack Melanie McClay (Plymouth, Mass. checked in with three goals and an assist, and senior attack Katherine Tracy (Marion, Mass.) also finished with three goals and a helper. Senior midfielder Hayley Carron (Hopedale, Mass.) and junior midfielder Katie O'Brien (Pembroke, Mass.) added two goals apiece for the Bears, and senior attack Lindsay Brown (East Longmeadow, Mass.) dished out a pair of assists.

Bridgewater outshot Salem by a decisive margin of 44-15. The Bears also held a 20-8 advantage in draw controls and a 27-17 edge in ground balls, and converted 12 of 14 clear attempts. 

Junior goalkeeper Olivia Kerrigan (Braintree, Mass.) and sophomore netminder Laura Giovaniello (Walpole, Mass.) combined to make seven saves for the hosts with Kerrigan notching her fifth win of the season. 

Sophomore keeper Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.) turned aside 13 shots in the setback for the Vikings.    

(Courtesy Bridgewater State Sports Information)