By Jim Fenton

FITCHBURG, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team earned a dramatic victory to open the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule.

Sophomore Samantha Souza (Dartmouth, Mass.) scored 1:31 into overtime to give the Bears a 2-1 victory over Fitchburg State University at Elliot Field on Tuesday night.

The Bears had trailed, 1-0, early in the fourth quarter before getting the equalizer and forcing the extra period.

BSU is now 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the MASCAC while the Falcons fall to 3-3 and 0-1. The Bears lost twice to Fitchburg State in the regular season a year ago before eliminating the Falcons in the semifinal round of the MASCAC tournament.

Souza scored her 10th goal of the season to win the game.

The Bears had stolen the ball in the defensive end, and a feed sent them on a 3-on-2 rush.

Following a give-and-go on the right side between junior Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.) and sophomore Kallie Rose (Dartmouth, Mass.), Rose sent a pass near the front of the net.

Souza was open on the left side, and she put a one-timer inside the right post while falling down to end the game.

The BSU bench emptied to celebrate in front of the cage.

The overtime was played with seven players on each side.

Trailing, 1-0, the Bears got on the board with 11:56 remaining in regulation.

Following a Fitchburg State turnover, Zuber went towards the left side of the cage, cut in front and scored her fourth goal of the season.

The Falcons had taken a 1-0 lead in the opening period with sophomore Madison Butler (Carver, Mass.) scoring from senior Sophia Yates (Woodstock, Vt.) at 14:13.

BSU had a 14-10 edge in shots and 11-6 in corner kicks.

Bears senior goalkeeper Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.) had three saves to record her fourth win.

Sophomore Isabella Corcoran (Braintree, Mass.) made eight saves for the Falcons.

BSU and Fitchburg State meet again in Bridgewater on Oct. 11.

BSU returns home on Friday at 7 p.m. to face Salem State at Mazzaferro Field.

Fitchburg State is at Framingham State on Saturday at 11 a.m.