Women's Soccer Drops 3-1 Decision to UMass Dartmouth

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Talia D'Ambruoso (Warwick, R.I.) tallied a pair of goals including the game-winner to lead visiting UMass Dartmouth to a 3-1 victory over Bridgewater State University in non-conference women's soccer action on Wednesday night at rainy Swenson Field.

The Corsairs improve to 4-5 on the season, while the host Bears slip to 3-6.

BSU senior midfielder Lauren Bandoian (Medford, Mass.) opened the scoring in the tenth minute as she tucked a shot under the cross bar from 35 yards out.  Junior forward Carolyn Sessler (Plymouth, Mass.) set up the goal with a short pass back to an open Bandoian who was trailing the play.

The Corsairs evened the score at 1-1 in the 31st minute as D'Ambruoso took advantage of a misplayed ball on a failed clearance and knocked in a shot from 25 yards out over the outstretched hand of the Bears' netminder.

D'Ambruoso second marker of the night gave the visitors the lead with less than three minutes remaining in the opening stanza as she converted a short touch pass from freshman midfielder Lily Higgins (Hanson, Mass.).

The Corsairs would take the 2-1 lead into the intermission.

Sophomore defender Lucy Jensen (Boxborough, Mass.) added an insurance goal for the visitors in the 61st minute.  Senior forward Shelby Friedland (New Bedford, Mass.) slipped a pass to her open teammate who was stationed outside the 18.  Jensen ripped a shot from the left side that sailed over the BSU goaltender and into the back of the net.

UMass held a 17-9 shot advantage for the game and limited the Bears to just five chances on frame.

Freshman Madison Boucher (Southampton, Mass.) picked up the win between the pipes for the Corsair as she made four saves in just under 71 minutes of work.  Sophomore Nikki Butts (Milford, Mass.) came on in relief of Boucher with 19:07 remaining and did not face a shot.  Junior Kristin Reardon (Weymouth, Mass.) made eight stops in goal for the Bears.

The Bears travel to Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon for a two o'clock MASCAC game with the Lancers. The Corsairs entertain Little East Conference rival University of Southern Maine on Saturday at four.