BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- For the second time this season, Bridgewater State University sophomore forward Samantha Souza has been selected as the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Field Hockey Offensive Player of the Week.
Souza tallied eight goals and an assist for 17 points in a perfect 2-0 week for the Bears. The Dartmouth, Massachusetts product scored four goals, including the game-winner, in a 6-0 MASCAC win on the road over Salem State, and notched four goals to go along with an assist in a 12-1 conference victory over Anna Maria.
Through 14 games this season, Souza has recorded 28 goals and seven assists for 63 points, all career highs. She currently leads the MASCAC in both goals and scoring, ranks second in game-winning goals (5) and is tied for fourth in assists.
On a national level, Souza presently leads all of Division III in scoring with 4.50 points per game. She is also tied with senior Grace Bazin of Keene State College for the Division III goal scoring lead with 2.00 goals per game.
Souza's 28 goals are four shy of the BSU single-season record set in 2012 by BSU Hall of Famer Shelby Farland. BSU Hall of Famer Karen Croteau is second on the list with 29 goals in 1982. Souza is also within striking distance of Farland's single-season scoring record of 77 points also set in 2012.
In 33 games (all starts) over her first two seasons with the Bears, Souza has amassed 40 goals and nine assists for 89 points. Eight of her 40 goals have been game-winners.
Souza ranks fifth all-time at Bridgewater State in both goals and scoring.
The MASCAC Player of the Week selection marks the third of Souza's career.
The BSU field hockey team is currently 12-2 on the season and 8-1 in the MASCAC standings. The Bears travel to Nichols College on Wednesday night for a seven o'clock game with the Bison.