Hatfield Leads Women's Soccer to 4-2 Win over RIC

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman forward Mackenzie Hatfield (Whitman, Mass.) tallied a goal and two assists to lead the Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 4-2 non-conference win over host Rhode Island College on Wednesday afternoon.

Hatfield now has five goals on the season, the most by a BSU freshman since Jennifer Brogan notched five markers in 2002.  Hatfield has registered at least one point in six of the Bears' eight games.

Bridgewater (5-2-1) drew first blood in the opening minutes of action after sophomore forward Erica Jonasson (Wrentham, Mass.) took a pass from Hatfield, sliced through the Rhode Island College (1-4) defense and rifled a shot past RIC goalkeeper Audrey Maia (Norton, Mass.) to make it 1-0.

The Anchorwomen answered right back when sophomore midfielder Lauren Maisano (Bristol, R.I.) launched a deep shot from about 35 yards out that sailed just over the head of Bears' junior goalkeeper Kerry Condon (Whitman, Mass.) and into the back of the net to tie the game at one.

The visitors rebounded to take the lead once more in the 22nd minute when Hatfield sent a pass deep into the corner for sophomore midfielder Kerin Gaydou (Dartmouth, Mass.). Gaydou sidestepped a RIC defender and lofted a shot over the head of Maia to make it, 2-1.

The Anchorwomen again came back to tie the game thanks to a beautiful goal from freshman midfielder Chelsea Combs (Ashford, Conn.).  Combs received a pass from freshman forward Gabrielle Turner (Smithfield, R.I.) in the 24th minute and ripped one past Condon from 25 yards out to make it a 2-2 game.

The Bears bounced back to once again regain the lead for good in the 37th minute when sophomore forward Emily Lane (Parsonsfield, Maine) took a pass from junior forward Caley McClendon (Keene, N.H.) and beat the keeper to send Bridgewater State into the half with a one goal advantage.

Bridgewater added some insurance in the second half on a corner kick in the 69th minute. Senior defender Melanie Thomson (Abington, Mass.) found Hatfield for the header to make it 4-2 with just 20 minutes of regulation left to play. From there, the Bears held their ground defensively to keep the Anchorwomen off the scoreboard and seal the victory.

The Bears outshot the Anchorwomen, 30-13, on the evening, which included a 17-6 advantage in the second half.

Despite surrendering a pair of first half goals, Condon picked up the win to improve her record to 5-1 and made one save along the way. Senior goalkeeper Kristen Rowe (Burlington, Mass.) took over in the second half for BSU and made four saves without allowing a goal.

On the other end, Maia (1-4) made 11 saves for RIC in a losing effort.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host UMass Boston on Saturday at 1:00 PM while Bridgewater travels to MASCAC foe Worcester State University on Saturday for a six o'clock game with the Lancers.