Field Hockey Falls to Salem State in Overtime, 3-2

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Sophomore midfielder Aleena Frith (Pepperell, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal in overtime as the visiting Salem State University field hockey team rallied from a two-goal deficit to post a 3-2 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over Bridgewater State University on Wednesday night at Mazzaferro Field.

The Vikings improve to 5-7 on the season and 3-3 in the MASCAC while the Bears fall to 3-7-1 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Salem swept the season series as the Vikings earned a 1-0 win back on September 21st. Bridgewater holds a 23-18-1 lead in the all-time series as the Bears and the Vikings have met every year since 1983.

Sophomore midfielder Raegen Perry (Nantucket, Mass.) opened the scoring with her first collegiate goal 1:25 into the second period. Off a penalty corner, sophomore forward Lexi James (Ipswich, Mass.) tipped a shot by freshman midfielder Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.). The ball went directly to Perry who ripped a shot into the open left side of the net.

Perry extended the lead to 2-0 in the 21st minute. Following a series of rebounds, graduate forward Jordyn Perry (Nantucket, Mass.) made a short touch pass to the left side and Raegen Perry fired a shot into the wide-open left side of the cage

Bridgewater would carry the two-goal advantage into the intermission.

Salem rallied to tie the game up with a pair of second half goals from senior midfielder Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.). Mason blasted a shot into the left side of the net from just inside the top of the circle to cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 37th minute.

Mason converted off a penalty corner 6 ½ minutes into the fourth quarter to knot the score at 2-2. Senior midfielder Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) slipped a nice pass to Melanie Mason on the left side who ripped a shot inside the far post for her sixth goal of the season.

Salem held a decided edge in play in the OT session attempting all three penalty corners and taking all four shots. The Vikings would capitalize on the third penalty corner as Frith tipped home a shot from Mikaya Mason to put the finishing touches on the comeback win. The goal marked Frith's first of the 2023 campaign.

Bridgewater held a 23-15 shot advantage for the game as well as a 13-7 edge in penalty corner attempts. Seventeen of the Bears' 23 shots came in the first half. Six of the Vikings' seven penalty corners occurred in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Salem freshman goalkeeper Izzy Mosley (Middleboro, Mass.) made eight saves to record her fifth win of the season. BSU freshman netminder Kailey Hutchinson (Attleboro, Mass.) turned aside three shots in the setback

The MASCAC schedule continues for both teams on Saturday afternoon. The Bears travel to Worcester State University to take on the Lancers at three o'clock while the Vikings head to Framingham State University for a two o'clock game with the Rams.