Field Hockey Blanks Westfield State, 2-0

WESTFIELD, Mass.--Senior forward Carissa Vizakis scored the game-winning goal in the 48th minute to lift Bridgewater State University to a 2-0 victory over Westfield State University in Little East Conference field hockey action on Tuesday night, Oct. 1.

Bridgewater boosts its record to 3-1 in the Little East and 7-2 overall. Westfield drops to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in conference play.

The game was dominated by the defense until Bridgewater struck for both goals in a six-minute span of the second half.

The game-winning goal was set up by a nice pass from senior forward Demi Miskiv, who has a team-high 18 points (7 goals, 4 assists) this season.  Miskiv dribbled the ball uncontested for about 40 yards down the middle of the field and delivered a pass to Vizakis on the left side. Vizakis hit a one-timer to the far post for her seventh goal of the season.

The Bears added an insurance tally in the 54th minute when freshman midfielder Brittany Cullinane scored her first collegiate goal off a rebound following a penalty corner shot.

Westfield outshot Bridgewater, 8-5, and held a 10-2 advantage in penalty corners.

BSU senior goalie Kacie Sturgeon registered five saves to post her conference-leading fifth shutout of the season and tenth of her career.

Notes: Career coaching win number 90 for BSU head coach Erika Smith (8th Year, 90-57, .612).  Smith is just two wins shy of the program mark of 92 held by fellow BSU Hall of Famer, Mary Lou Thimas.  Thimas coached from 1979 to 1986 and produced a record of 92-35-26 (.686).