Women's Soccer Blanks Norwich, 2-0

SOUTH YARMOUTH, Mass. -- Bridgewater State University scored a goal in each half and a strong Bear defense kept Norwich University at bay as the Bears defeated the Cadets, 2-0, in the first game of the women's division of the 2012 ECAC Division III Soccer Classic on the Cape.  The game was the season opener for each team.

Bridgewater's first half goal came on a penalty kick by sophomore forward Emily Lane (Parsonsfield, Maine) in the 22nd minute.   Lane drilled the ball to the lower right corner of the goal, beating Cadet junior goalkeeper Liz Chapdelaine (Somerset, Mass.) for her first collegiate marker.

Bridgewater held an 8-1 shot advantage in the first half.  The Bears also had eight corner kicks to just two for Norwich.

In the 56th minute Bridgewater scored what turned out to be the game's final goal as senior forward Molly Copeland (North Falmouth, Mass.) took a cross from freshman forward Mackenzie Hatfield (Whitman, Mass.) from the right corner and blasted a shot over Chapdelaine's leap and into the top center of the net.  The assist for Hatfield marked her first collegiate point.

Bridgewater showed similar statistical dominance in the second half, again taking eight shots to only four for the Cadets.  The Bears also had a 5-0 edge in corner kicks.

Chapdelaine made six saves for Norwich in the contest, while Bridgewater starting netminder, junior Kerry Condon (Whitman, Mass.), did not face a shot on goal.   Senior Kristen Rowe (Burlington, Mass.) replaced Condon in the second half and was forced to make just one save.

The Bears' outstanding defense, led by senior sweeper Melanie Thomson (Abington, Mass.), limited the Cadets to just five shots over the 90 minutes including just one shot on frame.

Norwich will face Purchase College on Saturday at 3:00 pm in the second game of the women's bracket in the Classic.  Bridgewater will play Purchase on Sunday at 3:00 pm to round out the Classic schedule.