Field Hockey Season Preview

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team is looking to take another step forward this season after playing for a championship last November.

The Bears made it all the way to the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference title game as the No. 5 seed before being edged by Westfield State University, 2-1.

BSU finished 10-11 for its highest win total since going 11-7 in 2016 and more than doubled its amount of victories from the previous season.

There was a lot of progress made last fall as the Bears won seven of 10 games before losing in the MASCAC final, and they are looking to build on that this season.

BSU kicks off the athletic program's 2025-26 home schedule Friday night against Plymouth State University at 7 p.m. at Mazzaferro Field.

Coach Ashley Bishop, now in her fourth season, has increased the Bears' win total from two to four to 10 over the past three years. BSU will be bidding for its first winning record since 2016.

Getting on a late-season roll and coming close to winning a MASCAC championship sent BSU into a new season on a high note.

"We're definitely looking for redemption," said Bishop. "Now they know how it feels to get that close and they want it that much more. It has not been hard to motivate them this year.

"This is the most returning starting players who were impactful we've had. We can hit the ground running. They're used to playing together and they're very, very motivated.

"Last year, we had the talent, but it took us too long to get that chemistry. This year, there's a better understanding that every game before the playoffs important, too."

The Bears return their top two leading point producers in junior midfielder and captain Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.) and sophomore forward Samantha Souza (Dartmouth, Mass.).

Zuber, who made the all-conference second team, had nine goals and 11 assists for 29 points. She was first in the MASCAC in assists and third in points.

"She's an all-around incredible athlete who can score a lot of goals, have a lot of assists," said Bishop. "She dictates the offense. It's her junior year and she's stepping it up.

"She's very versatile and sees the field very well and can find the back of the net."

Souza was the MASCAC Co-Rookie of the Year after getting 12 goals to go with two assists for 26 points. She was also selected to the all-conference first team after finishing second in goals and fifth in points.

"She's that much better this year," said Bishop. "She's taken it to the next level. She has a good nose for the net, good skills. She is in the right place at the right time. I think she can score a lot of goals this year.''

Both Zuber and Zuber appeared on the 2025 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Watchlist. They are among the 175 student-athletes from 84 Division III institutions who found their way on the list which is intended to showcase those field hockey student-athletes with the strongest potential for consideration to the current year’s NFHCA All-Region and All-American teams.

Another key returning player is senior Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.), who shifted from a field position to goalkeeper in 2024. Gagnon started 20 games and had a 2.32 goals against average with three shutouts.

Gagnon, who will be backed up by freshman Aubrey Finn (Marshfield, Mass.), brought stability in goal for BSU in her first collegiate season at the position.

"She ended up being amazing," said Bishop of Gagnon, who had played some goal during high school. "She's picking up where she left off.

"She's really athletic, dynamic, aggressive. She has all the things you need from a goalie. I was surprised at how well she took to it and took ownership of the position.

"I think with the confidence she has now and the confidence her teammates have, she'll be much better from a statistics standpoint. We'll be better defensively."

Leading the defense is senior center back and captain Emelia Westwater (Attleboro, Mass.), who was selected to the All-MASCAC second team.

"She's very confident in that position and gives us a solid anchor in that back line," said Bishop.

The Bears lost backs Noelle Cornetta and Charlotte McElroy, who were both captains, to graduation. McElroy is now an assistant coach.

The lineup on defense will include junior Abigail Lambert (Harrisville, R.I.), junior Emma Luis (Georgetown, Mass.) and senior Irianny Solorin (Methuen, Mass.).

"They haven't seen a ton of playing time over the years and they're stepping up to the challenge this year," said Bishop.

Zuber is the center midfielder and will be joined by sophomore Taylor Carter (Walpole, Mass.), who had two goals and nine assists.

"She was in a defensive role last year," said Bishop. "She's super fast and smart and aggressive."

Senior Raegen Perry (Nantucket, Mass.) returns as a midfielder after scoring four goals and three assists.

"She's played pretty consistently since her sophomore year," said Bishop.

Up front with Souza will be her high school teammate, sophomore Kallie Rose (Dartmouth, Mass.), who contributed three goals and two assists.

"She has great speed and has that experience now," said Bishop. "She's put a lot of work in."

Newcomers who are looking to contribute up front right away are freshmen Emily Carr (Fall River, Mass.), who was a key member of the state champion Somerset Berkley High team, and Ellie Moberg (North Reading, Mass.).

"Emily is someone that as her confidence grows will be an impact player," said Bishop. "She knows how to score. Ellie is very aggressive with good speed."

Despite reaching the title game last year, BSU is picked to finish fourth in the MASCAC preseason coaches poll behind Fitchburg State, Westfield State and Worcester State.

"That's another little motivation for us," said Bishop.

"This is my fourth year and we're on the path we should be on so we're very excited. The players have stuck with it, through the ups and downs, and now we're here and we're motivated."