By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University women's lacrosse team has momentum on its side entering the postseason.

The Bears put together a four-game winning streak down the stretch of the regular season to move into the third spot in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference standings.

After opening the season with 10 losses in the first 13 games, BSU is 7-10 and improved to 5-2 in the MASCAC.

The third-seeded Bears will host a tournament quarterfinal-round game against sixth-seeded Salem State on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Mazzaferro Field.

BSU lost seven senior starters from a 14-win team a year ago, including four of the top six scorers who combined for 162 goals and 73 assists in 2025.

There were also key losses on defense, meaning the Bears were in a bit of a transition this season. But after the rocky beginning, BSU is playing its best lacrosse.

"We definitely had some growing pains," said coach Erica Adams. "When you're in a season and going through some adversity, you never know how long that's going to last.

"I think the team really stayed true to our identity, showing up to work every day and trying to get one percent better every day.

"Where we're at now is just a culmination of their commitment to showing up and being the best they can be every day, regardless of the outcomes. When adversity hits, you've got to power through."

After opening the MASCAC schedule with a win over Anna Maria, BSU dropped four in a row. But part of that losing streak including two close setbacks to top-seeded Worcester State, 16-15 in overtime, and second-seeded Westfield State, 10-8.

Since that April 11 loss to the Owls, the Bears have not lost, enabling them to climb to third place. BSU defeated Framingham State in the regular-season finale with the No. 3 seed on the line.

"I think we just always had faith and believed in ourselves," said Adams. "The staff always believed in the kids and their ability to just respond in moments of adversity. If you can do that as a young adult, you can put yourself in a position to be successful.

"We knew if we continued to grind, eventually the outcomes would be what they were. But you have to focus on the process. Credit to the team. They did a great job of hanging in there when some things didn't go our way."

Adams credits captains Meredith Sylvia (Dartmouth, Mass.), a senior, and Taylor Carter (Walpole, Mass.), a sophomore, for providing the leadership that was needed while the Bears went through early rough patches.

"They really held us together when it could have come off the rails," said Adams. "Their leadership  and their stability and belief in themselves transcended to the rest of the group. They show up for work every day.

"Taylor does a great job of uplifting others and bringing energy every single day no matter what. Meredith does a great job bringing effort and sharing her IQ with her teammates because she knows the game so well.

"They really stepped up when we were going through some adversity."

Sylvia leads BSU with 38 goals and 51 points and is second with 37 groundballs and 33 draw controls.

Sophomore Sophia Fleurent (Fairhaven, Mass.) is second with 30 goals and 46 points and leads the way with 83 draw controls.

Other double-digit goal scorers include sophomore Lizzy Deacon (Amesbury, Mass.) with 17, Carter and freshman Kate Fitzpatrick (Methuen, Mass.) with 14 each, senior Ashley Silva (Rowley, Mass.) with 13 and senior Erin Henn (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) with 11 goals and 18 assists.

Sophomore goalkeeper Sara Skaff (Lowell, Mass.) has made 102 saves and 16 starts. The defense has continued making progress throughout the season.

"Our defense as a whole has really grown so much," said Adams. "Their development and their growth and belief and confidence in themselves is something that's gotten better and better every day. Their a young group, but they're getting the job done."

BSU defeated Salem State (8-6, 2-5 MASCAC) on April 21 at home, 15-5.

This is the third time in five years that the teams are meeting in a MASCAC tourney opener with the Bears winning in 2025, 21-8, and 2022, 19-6.

If BSU defeats Salem State, it would advance to the semifinal round on Thursday night at second-seeded Westfield State.

The other quarterfinal-round matchup Tuesday has fourth-seeded Framingham State hosting fifth-seeded Fitchburg State.