LEWISTON, Maine -- Springfield College held off a furious second half rally as the Pride edged Bridgewater State University, 8-7, in the opening round of the 2016 NCAA Division III Women's Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Bates College.

Springfield improves to 15-5 on the season with the win and advances to the second round. The Pride will take on host Bates on Sunday afternoon at one.

Bridgewater State ends the season with an overall mark of 12-6.

Shelby Corsano potted four goals in the opening stanza while Kristina Krull added a pair to help stake the Pride to a 7-2 lead at the intermission.

Lauren Geary and Melissa Renauld accounted for Bridgewater State's first half scoring strikes.

Springfield held a 17-7 shot advantage in the opening stanza.

A pair of goals by Elizabeth Ettridge over the first six minutes of the second half pulled the Bears to within three at 7-4.

The score remained that way until the 16:49 mark when Corsano answered on the player-advantage to push the Springfield lead up to 8-4.

Melissa Renauld found the back of the net with 10:37 remaining and Geary converted at the 6:29 mark to close the gap to 8-6.

Moments later, Gabby Reinold scored off an assist from Ettridge to make it a one-goal game with 5:44 remaining. 

Geary won the ensuing draw but Alex King's potential game-tying shot attempt went wide. After a Springfield turnover, Geary transitioned off the ground ball to regain possession for the Bears. Bridgewater could not take advantage, however, as an errant pass gave the ball back to the Pride with just under four minutes left to play.

Springfield would maintain possession the rest of the way, even declining a shot on an empty net, to run out the clock.

Corsano led all players with five goals. Ettridge and Renauld paced the Bears with three points apiece as they both tallied two goals and an assist. Geary chipped in with two goals, two ground balls and a pair of draw controls. 

The Bears held a 12-10 shot advantage in the second half and limited the pride to just one goal in the period. Allie Forman turned aside six shots in the setback including four in the final stanza.

Gabby Anderson made seven saves to record the win between the pipes for the Pride.

The two teams combined to go 0-for-9 on free position attempts.

Bridgewater was flagged for 22 fouls for the game including three second half yellow cards, while Springfield was whistled for just 12 fouls. The Pride did not receive any cards.

Notes: Geary ends her career with an NCAA Division III record 605 draw controls.