Women's Soccer Blanks Salem State, 2-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – On the strength of a pair of first half goals, the Bridgewater State University Bears posted a 2-0 shutout victory over Salem State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's soccer match this afternoon in Bridgewater.

The Bears improve to 4-6 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC, while the visiting Vikings drop to 4-7-1 overall and 0-4 in conference play.

Junior forward Jordan McDermott (East Bridgewater, Mass.) gave Bridgewater a 1-0 lead eight minutes into the contest with her team-leading fourth goal of the season as she headed in a corner kick from senior midfielder Amanda Vigneault (Ludlow, Mass.).  The Bears made it a 2-0 game in the 38th minute as senior defender Aly Johnson (Stamford, Conn.) scored on a penalty kick.  Sophomore forward Molly Copeland (North Falmouth, Mass.) drew the foul which resulted in Johnson's first goal of the season.

Copeland nearly gave Bridgewater a three-goal advantage early in the second half as she was stopped on a breakaway by Salem freshman keeper Lauren Garchinsky (Saugus, Mass.).  Following the outstanding save by Garchinsky, Salem picked up the pressure and had Bridgewater on its heels.  Senior midfielder KatyLyn Verrette (Saugus, Mass.) rang the crossbar twice in a four-minute stretch, but the Vikings were unable to dent the scoreboard.

Bridgewater held a 17-11 advantage in shots as well as a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.  BSU senior goaltender Kayla Grover (Haverhill, Mass.) turned aside two shots to record her second shutout of the season.  Garchinsky made seven saves between the pipes for the Vikings.

The Bears will host non-conference foe UMass Dartmouth on Thursday afternoon at 3:30.  Salem travels to MIT on Tuesday afternoon for a four o'clock match with the Engineers.