Hatfield Leads Women's Soccer to 3-1 Win over RIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Junior forward Mackenzie Hatfield (Whitman, Mass.) scored two goals and added an assist to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over non-conference foe Rhode Island College on Wednesday evening.

With her five point performance, Hatfield moved into sole possession of seventh place on the Bears' all-time scoring list.  She now has 20 goals and 18 assists for 58 points in 46 career games.

Rhode Island College started the game strong, and almost took the lead when a shot from freshman midfielder Stephanie Ricci (Smithfield, R.I.) slammed off the crossbar in the 18th minute. Greenman's shot off the rebound was saved by Bridgewater State freshman keeper Courtney Banzi (Plymouth, MA) to keep the game scoreless.

A foul on the visitors in the 30th minute set the stage for sophomore midfielder Jaclyn Greenman (Waterford, Ct.), who lined up for a free kick from 30 yards out. Greenman ripped a shot that clanked in off the far post to give the Anchorwomen a 1-0 lead. The Bears looked to respond by sending balls over the top on the Anchorwomen, but were unable to capitalize as they finished with six offside calls in the stanza.

Momentum swung in the Bears' favor right off the bat in the second half as they wasted no time getting on the board. Junior midfielder Carolyn Sessler (Plymouth, Mass.) took a one-touch pass from Hatfield in the 51st minute and buried a shot in the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1. Freshman forward Courtney Pepin (Uxbridge, Mass.) also tallied an assist on the goal.

The next 28 minutes saw numerous missed opportunities for the Bears, who were called for four more offside infractions during that time. A homerun pass finally connected in the 80th minute when Hatfield took a long ball from senior defender Ashley Aldred (Saugus, Mass.) to put the Bears up, 2-1. Hatfield took advantage of an Anchorwomen defensive miscue and scored an unassisted goal with just 21 seconds remaining.

Bridgewater was whistled for 14 offsides calls in the contest and had two additional goals late in the second half called back for their aggressiveness.

Banzi made four saves to record her second win of the season.  RIC senior netminder Audrey Maia (Norton, Mass.) stopped 11 shots in the loss. The Anchorwomen were outshot 19-18 for the game and 13-8 in the second half.

Both team open up conference play on Saturday.  The Bears (2-3) travel to Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe Framingham State University to take on the Rams at 11:00 AM.  The Anchorwomen (1-4) entertain Little East Conference rival UMass Dartmouth at noon.