Field Hockey Falls to Salem State, 3-1

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Salem State University field hockey team posted a 3-1 Little East Conference (LEC) victory over Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The Vikings improve to 6-5 on the season and 4-3 in the Little East, while the host Bears fall to 4-7 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Despite the loss, Bridgewater State maintains a 23-15-1 lead in the all-time series as the two teams have met every season since 1983.

Senior forward Victoria Camara (Westport, Mass.) opened the scoring with 2:58 remaining in the first quarter. Camara redirected a centering pass from sophomore forward Hannah Rolfe (Easton, Mass.) for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.

The Bears would take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The Vikings potted the equalizer with 5:21 remaining in the third quarter. Junior midfielder Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.) sent a pass towards the left post and junior midfielder Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) tucked it into the net for her team-leading tenth goal of the season.

Junior midfielder Mackenzie Schmink (Danvers, Mass.) put the Vikings on top, 2-1, with 4:11 left to play in the third. Senior midfielder Allison Couillard (Tewksbury, Mass.) set up the goal with a nice backhand pass to the front of the net.

Salem notched an insurance marker with just 2:38 remaining in the final period. Stationed near the left post, freshman forward Julia Paulino (Peabody, Mass.) redirected a shot from senior midfielder Marissa Laganas (Beverly, Mass.) to put the finishing touches on the 3-1 victory. The goal marked Paulino's first at the collegiate level.

Salem finished with a 27-11 shot advantage for the game as well as an 18-5 edge in penalty corners. Thirteen of the Vikings' 18 corners came in the second half.

Senior goalkeeper Kelli McCarthy (Foxborough, Mass.) turned aside six shots to record her sixth win of the season between the pipes for Salem.

BSU freshman netminder Emily Ronan (North Billerica, Mass.) made 13 saves in the setback. Junior defender Olivia Sheehan (Hanson, Mass.) added a pair of defensive saves for the Bears, while sophomore midfielder Carolyn Greendale (Natick, Mass.) also recorded a defensive stop.

The Little East schedule continues for both teams on Tuesday. The Bears travel to Eastern Connecticut State University to take on the Warriors at four, while the Vikings travel to Plymouth State University for a six o'clock game with the Panthers.