Women's Soccer Blanks MCLA, 4-0, on Senior Day

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University women's soccer team secured a share of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season title on Saturday as the Bears blanked visiting MCLA, 4-0, on Senior Day at Swenson Field.

The Bears wrap up regular season play with a record of 11-6 including a 6-1 mark in the MASCAC. The Trailblazers fall to 3-12 overall and 2-5 in conference play.

Bridgewater dominated play from start to finish as the Bears outshot the Trailblazers by a decided margin of 38-1, including a 22-1 advantage in the first half.

A header goal by senior midfielder Nicole Simas (Dartmouth, Mass.) off a corner kick in the 19th minute gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish. Junior defender Kassidy Campbell (Norton, Mass.) assisted on the tally as she sent the corner attempt into the six and Simas headed the ball just under the crossbar. The goal marked Simas' eight of the season as she is tied for the team lead.

Campbell also set up BSU's second goal of the first half as she sent a long volley into the box that was misread by an MCLA defender. Sophomore forward Amelia Burke (Plymouth, Mass.) collected the ball and flicked a shot from 13 yards out over the head of the Trailblazer keeper and into the back of the net.

Goals by sophomore midfielder Tess Nagle (Pembroke, Mass.) and junior midfielder Kellsie Mitchell (Bristol, R.I.) 62 seconds apart in the second half extended the Bridgewater lead to 4-0. Nagle tapped home a crossing pass from junior midfielder Melissa Morton (Uxbridge, Mass.) inside the right post in the 57th minute with junior defender Caitlin Rowley (Lakeville, Mass.) picking up the secondary assist. Mitchell intercepted an attempted clearing pass off a BSU corner kick and ripped a shot inside the left post from 13 yards out.

Senior goalkeeper Lauren DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) was forced to make just one save as she recorded her sixth solo shutout of the season. DeSousa also increased her BSU career shutout record to 24.

MCLA sophomore netminder Megan Richardson (Adams, Mass.) was busy between the pipes for the Trailblazers as she turned aside 12 shots. Richardson made a couple of terrific saves including an outstanding diving stop on a shot by BSU sophomore midfielder Emma Sanders (Seekonk, Mass.) in the 27th minute. Richardson was also helped out by the goalie's best friend as senior forward Courtney Pepin (Uxbridge, Mass.) rang one off the post at the 11-minute mark.

Along with the their decided shot advantage, the Bears also held a 10-0 edge in corner kick attempts.

Prior to the game, the Bears honored their three seniors, DeSousa, Pepin and Simas.

Both teams will be competing in the MASCAC Tournament next week. Bridgewater is seeded third and will host a first round game against #6 Framingham State University on Tuesday night at seven. MCLA is seeded fifth and will travel to #4 Salem State University on Tuesday afternoon to take on the Vikings at one.