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Bridgewater State Field Hockey Rides Record-Breaking Season into MASCAC Tournament
Bridgewater, Massachusetts – After a surprising run to teh championship game in 2023, Bridgewater State University (BSU) field hockey is no longer flying under the radar. the Bears (15-4 overall) have secured the No. 2 seed in the 2024 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) tournament and will host a semifinal game for the first time as 2016.
The program’s resurgence is a testament to the team’s chemistry and a relentless offensive attack. Last year, seeded fifth, BSU navigated the tournament before falling to Westfield State, 2-1, in the final. This season, a 10-2 conference record has positioned them as a clear contender.
BSU will face fourth-seeded Worcester State University (8-11, 7-5 MASCAC) on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Mazzaferro Field. The Lancers advanced to the semifinal round with a 3-1 victory over Salem State on Tuesday night.
This marks the first time since 2016,when the bears competed in the Little East Conference,that they will host a conference tournament game. The team is poised to finish with a winning record – a feat not accomplished as 2016 – and has already achieved the most wins since 2013, when they recorded 16 victories. Their 10 conference wins are the most since a 10-1 record in the Little East in 2012.
“I knew we had the talent,” saeid coach Ashley Bishop. “I don’t think I had expected it to go this well, though. It was the chemistry that we had from being together last year that helped us.”
The Bears’ offensive prowess is undeniable. They have shattered program records, scoring 86 goals in 19 games, surpassing the previous mark of 82 set in 2012. The team also boasts a program-record 57 assists, exceeding the previo
us mark of 52 set in 2013. Junior forward Olivia Rose has led the charge with 23 goals and 12 assists for 58 points. Her goal total is the second-highest in program history, and her point total is the third-highest.
“Olivia has been amazing all year,” Bishop said. “She is a threat every time she touches the ball. She has really stepped up this year. Her numbers have been amazing, to. She is so unselfish and loves distributing the ball.”
Sophomore Callie Rose (13 goals, nine assists) adds another dimension to the offense with 35 points, while freshman Ellie Moberg (nine goals, four assists) and senior Raegen Perry (four goals, nine assists) provide valuable contributions.Junior Madison Ellis has chipped in with four goals and three assists.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Brianna Gagnon has been a stalwart, maintaining a 1.61 goals-against average and recording four shutouts. She is one win shy of tying the school record of 15, held by Kacie Sturgeon as 2013.
“She didn’t get the credit she deserves,” Bishop stated. “We’re such a good offensive team, but defensively, after losing two notable backs, we knew it would be tough. Brianna keeps us competitive on the defensive end. She is unfazed back there.”
The defensive backfield,anchored by senior Emelia Westwater,has proven resilient despite the loss of key players. Westwater leads the team with five defensive saves, while Ellis has four.
The Bears have already demonstrated their ability to overcome Worcester State this season, edging them 3-2 and 5-4 in overtime, with the latter victory coming last Saturday to conclude the regular season. They previously met in the postseason in 2016, with BSU prevailing 3-1 in the Little East tournament quarterfinals.
Looking ahead, the championship game is scheduled for Saturday at the highest remaining seed. The other semifinal matchup features Westfield State against sixth-seeded Framingham State, which upset third-seeded Fitchburg State, 2-1, in overtime.
“It’s really great,” Bishop said of hosting. “Travel is a grind with everything that goes with it. It’ll be nice to
