Cullinane's Late Tally Lifts Field Hockey to 2-1 Win over Fitchburg

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- Junior Megan Cullinane (Lunenburg, Mass.) registered the game-winning marker late in the second half to lift the Bridgewater State field hockey team to a 2-1 Little East Conference victory over Fitchburg State University this afternoon.

With the victory, Bridgewater State improves to 4-3 on the season with a 1-2 mark in the Little East, while the Falcons fall to 4-4 on year and 1-2 in the conference.

Bridgewater got on the board early, taking a 1-0 lead just 6:09 into the match. Junior Shelby Farland (Fiskdale, Mass.) gave the Bears the early edge with her fourth goal of the season, sailing a wrist shot up and over sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Mays (Somerset, Mass.). Farland took a feed from classmate Beth Phillips (Worcester, Mass.) on the play and converted the score for a 1-0 advantage at the break.

In the second half, Fitchburg State came roaring back, scoring just six minutes into the period to knot the score at 1-1. Senior Mari Roma (Foxborough, Mass.) cashed in on a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute, clipping to low right side of the net for her fifth goal of the year.

Both teams battled down the stretch, including the Bears, who witnessed ample opportunities to take the lead. Bridgewater State saw its first opportunity fall just a pipe short as Farland penalty stroke attempt pinged off the left post to keep the game tied, but minutes later Cullinane found the back of the net to clinch the Bears victory. Cullinane picked up a loose ball off the stick of senior Breanna Clement (Pittsfield, Maine) and chipped it in the net for her third goal of the year.

Overall, Bridgewater State saw a 15-11 advantage in shots for the game while also tallying a 7-5 margin in penalty corners. Senior keeper Taylor Begin (Haverhill, Mass.) finished the contest with a team-high five saves for the Falcons, while junior Cassie Johansen (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y.) stopped six shots for the Bears.

Fitchburg State (4-4, 1-2 LEC) will be back in action on Wednesday as it travels to Eastern Connecticut State University at 4 p.m. Bridgewater State (4-3, 1-2 LEC) will host Wheaton College tomorrow at 1 p.m.