Field Hockey Edges UMass Dartmouth, 2-1

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Bridgewater State University scored two goals within the span of 84 seconds to erase a halftime deficit and earn a 2-1 Little East Conference victory over University of Massachusetts Dartmouth this afternoon in a NCAA Division III field hockey match on Cressy Field.

The Corsairs had their four-match winning streak snapped to even their overall record at 8-8, while slipping to 5-3 in the conference circuit.  The Bears won for the first time in three matches to improve to 6-8 and 4-4 against Little East teams.

UMass Dartmouth dominated the opening 14 minutes of play, registering the first seven shots and winning eight of nine penalty corner opportunities.  The Corsairs' efforts were rewarded when sophomore Michaela Carrier (Richmond, R.I.) inserted a penalty corner to the top of the circle.  Senior Chelsey Campbell (Barre, Mass.) settled the feed and delivered a hard, low shot inside the left post to open the scoring.  Despite holding  decisive leads in shots (13-6) and penalty corners (10-3), the hosts had to settle for a 1-0 advantage entering the intermission.

Bridgewater State responded in the 52nd minute as senior Cailin Flannery (Boxboro, Mass.)  placed a through ball onto the stick of freshman speedster Tori O'Dea (South Dennis, Mass.).  O'Dea cradled the pass and beat the UMass Dartmouth netminder inside the far, left post to forge a 1-1 draw.

The Bears wasted little time in taking their first lead of the contest.  Junior Emily Mosca (Dedham. Mass.) slid a pass from the end line that classmate Emily Field (Hubbardston, Mass.) barely tipped over the line.

The visitors had a golden opportunity to pad their advantage in the 66th minute, when freshman Janet Maher (Mansfield, Mass.) pushed a penalty stroke wide right of the cage.

Sophomore Elizabeth St. Germaine (Wareham, Mass.) made six stops for the hosts, while Kaylyn Allahyarian (Norwell, Mass.) stopped five of the six shots she faced on net.