Bears Overwhelm Vikings 6-0

SALEM, Mass. – Bridgewater State scored five second half goals, which propelled the Bears to a 6-0 victory over Salem State, in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Bears improve to 4-1-1 overall and go to 1-0 in conference while the Vikings remain winless (0-4, 0-1).

Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.), who scored two goals while adding an assist, tallied the only goal of the opening period on an assist from Abigail Shea (Somerset, Mass.) in the 16^th minute. Bridgewater State kept constant pressure on Salem State's defense, outshooting the Vikings 19-0 for the half, but Salem State's defenders kept the Bears off the scoreboard, keeping the deficit to just one goal.

Makenna Lessard (East Bridgewater, Mass.) converted a penalty kick early in the second half to spur five unanswered goals by Bridgewater State, as the Bears pulled away for the easy win. Belcher added her second of the game in the 50^th minute, making the score 3-0 in favor of the Bears. Salem State starting goalie Lily Pfefferle (St. Paul, Minn.) was replaced after making 14 saves by freshman Kelsey Francis (Peabody, Mass.).

Shea made the score 4-0 in the 71^st minute on a cross from Belcher before Stephanie Spear (Blackstone, Mass.) netted her first goal of the year in the 77^th minute. Erin Clancey (Middletown, R.I.) closed the scoring, with a goal in the 79th minute, making the final 6-0.

Logan Levesque (Bristol, R.I.) made two saves to earn the shutout for the Bears. Francis posted four second half saves for the Vikings, who were outshot 35-4 for the game.