Women's Lacrosse Downs Salem State, 16-9

SALEM, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's lacrosse team clinched the top seed in next week's New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament as the Bears downed host Salem State University, 16-9, on Wednesday afternoon at Alumni Field.

Bridgewater improves to 9-7 on the season and remains a perfect 7-0 in the NEWLA.  Salem falls to 7-6 overall and 4-4 in league play. 

The Bears were paced by freshman Riley Cachelin (Westwood, MA) who led all scorers with six points on four goals and two assists.  Junior Michelle Navoni (Mansfield, MA) added three goals, an assist, three draws, four ground balls and two caused turnovers for the visitors. 

Salem jumped out to an early 3-1 lead on goals from junior Bridget Dullea (Peabody, MA), junior Kristin Cahoon (Reading, MA) and senior Kate Warren (Sandwich, MA).  The Bears battled back in a see-saw first half.  Bridgewater eventually took control of the game and led 7-5 at halftime as Navoni scored all three of her goals in the first 30 minutes.

The Lady Vikings cut their deficit to one with 26:30 remaining in the game on a Dullea goal but that would be as close as they would get.  Bridgewater tallied the next five goals and outscored Salem, 8-2, over the finals 22 minutes. 

Junior Sammi Salverio (Hanson, Mass.) and sophomore Taylor Clancy (Braintree, Mass.) chipped in with three goals apiece for the Bears, while sophomore Kinsley Willis (Canton, Mass.) notched a pair of assists.

Warren finished the game with two goals and two assists to lead Salem with four points.  Dullea recorded three goals in the game and senior Kaitlyn Shidler (Peabody, Mass.) added two goals. 

Salem had a decisive 20-5 edge on draw controls but could not overcome 11 turnovers.  The Lady Vikings also outshot the Bears, 31-25.

Freshman goalie Jessica Polaski (Agawam, MA) made eight saves in net for Bridgewater to post her fourth win of the year. 

Salem State is back in action on Saturday as they host their final game of the 2012 campaign against Daniel Webster.  Bridgewater State will travel to Elms on Saturday to wrap up regular season play.

The Bears would capture the NEWLA regular season title outright with a win over the Blazers.  Bridgewater has won five straight Alliance championships.