Rowe Backstops Women's Soccer to 2-0 Shutout of Worcester

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior netminder Kristen Rowe (Burlington, Mass.) made nine saves to backstop the Bridgewater State University Bears to a 2-0 shutout victory over Worcester State University in MASCAC women's soccer action on Saturday afternoon in Bridgewater.

Senior defender Jade Kluver (Westerly, R.I.) and sophomore forward Katie Johnson (Marshfield, Mass.) scored for the Bears who picked up their first conference win of the season as they improve to 6-5 overall and 1-2 in MASCAC play.  The Lancers, who were shutout for the first time in 2011, slip to 6-3-1 on the year and 2-1 in the conference.

Rowe produced a pair of spectacular saves in the first half making a diving right-hand stop on a Nikki Scott (Berlin, Mass.) penalty kick attempt in the 21st minutes and a kick save of a Therese Morss (Marion, Mass.) breakaway in the 26th minute.

Bridgewater would crack the scoreboard at the 35-minute mark as Kluver converted on a penalty kick after junior forward Molly Copeland (North  Falmouth, Mass.) was take down in the box.

The Bears made it a 2-0 game with just 1:17 left in the opening stanza off a restart.  Junior defender Melanie Thomson (Abington, Mass.) sent a long cross into the box that was knocked around.  Johnson got control of the loose ball and rifled a shot into the left corner of the net.

Johnson nearly gave BSU a three-goal advantage at the 53-minute mark but her shot from right side of the goaltender's box slid wide of the far post.

Rowe preserved the shutout with back-to-back outstanding saves in the final two minutes.  She made a diving stop of Kaleigh Evans's (Dayville, Conn.) breakaway shot and turned aside the ensuing rebound chance off the foot of Worcester freshman forward Alyssa Sawyer (West Springfield, Mass.).

Bridgewater held a 13-12 shot advantage for the game as well as a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.

The Bears travel to UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday afternoon (3:30) for a non-conference game with the Corsairs.  The Lancers host Western Connecticut State University on Tuesday night at seven.