Field Hockey Posts 3-1 Win over Framingham to Advance to ECAC Semifinals

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior forward Demi Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.) tallied a goal and an assist to lead third-seeded Bridgewater State University to a  3-1 victory over #6 Framingham State University in the opening round of the 2013 ECAC Division III New England Region Field Hockey Championships on Wednesday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The host Bears (16-5) advance to the tournament semifinals against second-seeded University of New England on Saturday afternoon at two.  Both the semifinal and championship rounds will take place at top-seeded Plymouth State University.  Framingham wraps up the 2013 campaign with an overall mark of 9-10.

The win marked the 99th career coaching victory for BSU skipper Erika Smith.  Smith, the all-time winningest coach in program history, has produced a record of 99-60 (.623) in her eight seasons at the helm.

After spotting the Rams the early 1-0 first half lead, the Bears reeled off three goals in span of ten minutes and 49 seconds to take a 3-1 advantage into the intermission.

Miskiv potted her 14th goal of the season off a short centering pass from sophomore forward Jennifer Arnold (West Yarmouth, Mass.) in the 20th minute to knot the score at 1-1.  Senior forward Carissa Vizakis (Barnstable, Mass.) gave the Bears a 2-1 lead with her team leading 19th goal of the season in the 27th minute with Miskiv picking up the assist.  Senior defender Olivia Galvin (Mashpee, Mass.) capped off the scoring outburst in the 31st minute as she tipped in a blast from junior midfielder Jaclyn Holahan (South Yarmouth, Mass.).

Sophomore forward Ailana Willing (Natick, Mass.) staked the visiting Rams to the early lead as she scored off a cross from senior midfielder Kaitlyn Ranieri (Bellingham, Mass.) in the sixth minute.

Bridgewater outshot Framingham by a margin of 11-3 including a 7-1 advantage in the first half.  The Bears also held a 9-6 edge in penalty corners.  Neither team had a significant scoring opportunity in a scoreless second half.

BSU senior netminder Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.) turned aside two shots to post her 16th win of the season.  Freshman keeper Sarah Palace (Auburn, Mass.) made two saves in the loss for the Rams.