Women's Soccer Blanks MCLA, Advances to MASCAC Tournament Semifinals

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team avenged a late regular season loss to MCLA as the Bears posted a 1-0 shutout victory over the visiting Trailblazers in the opening round of the 2013 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament on Tuesday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The third-seeded Bears (7-8-2) advance to the tournament semifinals on Friday night to take on second-seeded Westfield State at seven in Westfield.  The sixth-seeded Trailblazers end the 2013 campaign with an overall record of 8-10.

Senior midfielder Megan O'Leary (Whitman, Mass.) picked an opportune time to pot her first goal of the season as she lofted a shot from 30 yards out that found the top left corner of the net in the 63rd minute.

The BSU defense took care of the rest as the Bears limited the Trailblazers to just seven shots and none on frame.  Sophomore midfielder Carolyn Sessler (Plymouth, Mass.) shadowed MCLA's top scorer Natalie Caney (Belchertown, Mass.) throughout the contest.  The rookie Caney, who entered the game ranked second in the MASCAC with 17 goals, was held to just two shots off frame.

Sophomore defenders MaryRose Griffin (Whitman, Mass.), Brooke Pacheco (Bristol, R.I.) and Bridget O'Leary (Whitman, Mass.) also played very well in front of senior keeper Kerry Condon (Whitman, Mass.).  Condon did not have to make a save in recording her first solo shutout of the season.

Bridgewater held a 16-7 shot advantage for the game as well as a 3-0 edge in corner kicks.

Junior netminder Danielle Heinsohn (Norfolk, Mass.) turned aside six shots in the loss for MCLA.