By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University lacrosse team had seven senior starters a year ago when it won 14 games for the first time since 2014.

But with 14 returning players, including the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year Sara Skaff (Lowell, Mass.) as the goalkeeper, the Bears have reason to be upbeat heading into the 2026 season.

"I'm really optimistic," said coach Erica Adams, who is four wins shy of 100 in her BSU career. "I think the young energy is great for this group.

"They love lacrosse, they love to be at practice, they love the work, they're excited about the process of getting one percent better every day.

"I'm very excited for this group to improve every single day and let the chips fall where they may."

BSU begins a 17-game schedule on Wednesday at 3 p.m., hosting Wheaton College at Mazzaferro Field.

The Bears will play five games, four at home, before going to Clearwater, Fla., for a pair of games March 10-12 on spring break.

BSU is picked to finish fourth, according to the MASCAC preseason coaches poll. The Bears lost to Worcester State in the semifinal round of the conference tournament last season.

BSU lost eight seniors and graduate students to graduation, including three players who are among the top 16 goal scorers in program history -- Camryn Gonsalves (155), Savannah Herrington (143) and Erin McIntyre (137).

The Bears graduated four of the top six scorers from a year ago who had a combined 162 goals and 73 assists in the '25 season.

Gonsalves, a two-time All-MASCAC first-team selection who is now an assistant coach, led the conference with 72 goals and 113 points while McIntyre had 41 goals and Herrington scored 35.

BSU has seven sophomores and six freshmen this season to go with six juniors and three seniors and a graduate student.

"I think every year looks a little bit different, but when you graduate a sizable class, it makes it feel different for the returners," said Adams, whose team was 14-5 and 4-2 in the MASCAC a year ago.

"They've done a great job of adapting, learning and moving on and are ready for the next chapter of Bears' lacrosse."

Skaff returns as the starting goalkeeper after finishing second in the MASCAC in both goals against average (9.97) and saves (153). She recorded 13 of the BSU victories in her first collegiate season.

"A great leader and great goalkeeper," said Adams. "We're lucky to have her. She puts in a lot of work.

"I knew she was talented coming in as a freshman. She seized the opportunity with her worth ethic and willingness to backstop that group."

Two other goalkeepers are also back, junior Gianna Scarpelli (Medford, Mass.) and sophomore Riley Guenette (Johnston, R.I.).

Adams looks to the midfield as a strong point for BSU, led by senior Meredith Sylvia (Dartmouth, Mass.).

Sylvia was second on the team with 54 goals and 67 points a year ago, earning a spot on the All-MASCAC first team.

She led BSU with 63 groundballs and 41 caused turnovers and was third with 69 draw controls.

Joining Sylvia will be sophomore Taylor Carter (East Walpole, Mass.), who made 18 starts as a freshman.

"She plays all over the field and is the glue kid and contributes on both ends of the field,'' said Adams. "She sets the tone every day.''

Graduate student Riley Bina (Abington, Mass.), who had 26 goals and nine assists in her first season with the Bears last spring, has been moved from forward to midfield.

Junior Kaylei Joseph (Fairhaven, Mass.), sophomore Sophia Fleurent (Fairhaven, Mass.), who had 84 draw controls last season, and freshman Kate Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) are also expected to have role at midfield.

"The midfield is our strongest position from a depth position," said Adams. "They're versatile and can play on either side of the ball."

Katie Lamothe (Dartmouth, Mass.) and Ashley Silva (Rowley, Mass.) are seniors who will be up front.

Silva scored 10 goals with nine assists in 17 games while Lamothe had five goals and six assists in eight games last season.

They will be joined by sophomore Lizzy Deacon (Amesbury, Mass.).

"They have been in our system and understand it and bring great leadership," said Adams of the seniors. "They see the field really well. They have the experience to uphold the same standards we always have, playing a motion-sytle offense and sharing the ball."

The defense in front of Skaff will include sophomores Abbey Benotti (Nashua, N.H.), Emma Burnie (Harwich, Mass.) and Jade Munoz (Mendon, Mass.), a transfer, plus freshman Samantha Ohlson (Plymouth, Mass.), who adds speed.

"We'll have a good group back there," said Adams. "They're young and new and excited about getting the opportunity. I think they'll seize the moment."

The MASCAC schedule will begin on March 25 with a game at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy following eight non-conference games.

"The challenge is how quickly our sophomores and freshmen can play at the level we want to play at," said Adams.

"They've done a great job so far.

"I'm really happy with where we're at and excited to see us compete next week and see how all the work will come out."