Women's Soccer Blanks UMass Dartmouth, 2-0

DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Junior forward Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) scored a pair of goals to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout victory over UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday night at Cressy Field.

The Bears improve to 5-4 on the season, while the Corsairs fall to 1-6-1. All nine games for Bridgewater State this season have been shutouts.

Belcher lofted a shot from 25 yards out into the top right corner of the net to stake the Bears to a 1-0 lead 2:19 into the second half. Sophomore forward Audra McDuffie (Millbury, Mass.) set up the goal with a short centering pass, while senior midfielder Delaney Langton (Scituate, R.I.) also collected an assist.

Less than two minutes later, Belcher got between two defenders off a nice feed from McDuffie and beat the UMD netminder with a shot inside the right post. For Belcher, the goal marked her team-leading sixth of the season.  Sophomore defender Megan Keller (Northborough, Mass.) also assisted on the strike.

Belcher (6G, 3A) and McDuffie (5G, 4A) rank one and two atop the Bears' scoring leaders.

Bridgewater State held a 21-14 shot advantage for the game, while corner kicks were even at seven apiece.

BSU senior goalkeeper Tory Viola-Laughery (Brockton, Mass.) made three saves to record her second straight shutout and fifth of the season.

Junior netminder Kat Hubbard (Haverhill, Mass.) turned aside eight shots in the setback for the Corsairs.

In upcoming action, the Bears travel to Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon (4:00 PM) for a key Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup with the Lancers. The Corsairs head to Roger Williams University on Thursday night for a seven o'clock game with the Hawks.