Field Hockey Falls to Fitchburg State, 4-1

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- The Fitchburg State University field hockey team defeated the Bears of Bridgewater State University, 4-1, in Little East Conference (LEC) action on Saturday afternoon at Elliot Field.

The host Falcons improve to 5-4 on the season and 2-4 in the Little East. The visiting Bears fall to 2-5 with their fifth straight setback and 2-4 in conference play.

Bridgewater State opened the scoring at the 8:34 mark as junior forward Samantha Hayes (Norwood, Mass.) lofted a shot into the upper right corner of the net for her team-leading sixth tally of the year for the 1-0 advantage.

Fitchburg State knotted the score (1-1) with just under five minutes remaining in the first half when sophomore forward Aislinn DeHorsey (Leominster, Mass.) converted a break away attempt, tucking the ball into the far side of the cage for her third marker of the season.

In the second half, the Falcons grabbed the lead in the 49th minute of play as DeHorsey struck for her second marker of the contest off an assist from junior Molly Richard (Leominster, Mass.) to make the score 2-1.

Following a goal from freshman Sophia Laperle (Auburn, Mass.), the Green and Gold capped the scoring at the 62:42 mark when DeHorsey completed the hat trick, firing a shot into the back of the cage off a penalty corner, resulting in the 4-1 final.

The game marked the 32nd meeting between two schools as the Falcons recorded just their seventh win (7-24-1) over the Bears. Bridgewater State had won each of the last seven contests against the Falcons.

Sophomore goaltender Rhiannon Fletcher (Royalston, Mass.) turned away three second half shots for the Falcons to pick up her fourth win in the cage, while counterpart Jillian Delaney (Foxboro, Mass.) made 12 saves for the Bears in the complete game effort.

Fitchburg State finished with a 24-11 edge in shots, while also holding a 10-5 advantage in penalty corners.

The Falcons will host the Hawks of Roger Williams on Thursday for a non-conference matchup, starting at 7 p.m. Bridgewater State visits Anna Maria on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. start time.