Women's Soccer Battles Worcester State to 1-1 Double Overtime Tie

WORCESTER, Mass. – Bridgewater State University and Worcester State University played to a 1-1 double overtime tie in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) women's soccer matchup on Saturday afternoon at Worcester's Coughlin Memorial Field.

The Bears see their 2021 record go to 5-4-1 on the season and 2-0-1 in the MASCAC, while the Lancers are now 5-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 in conference play. Bridgewater State is 18-17-7 versus the Lancers (8-11-4 on the road) since the two teams first met in 1991.

After a scoreless first half, senior forward Ali Maldonado (Rutland, Mass.) broke the ice with her fourth goal of the season in the 58th minute. Off a restart, senior midfielder Megan Gurlitz (Auburn, Mass.) sent the free kick into the box and Maldonado headed the ball into the bottom right of the goal to put the Lancers up 1-0.

The Bears answered in the 73rd minute as sophomore forward Audra McDuffie (Millbury, Mass.) headed home a corner kick from junior forward Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) to knot the score at 1-1. Belcher and McDuffie are now tied for the team lead in goals (6), assists (4) and points (16).

The game would remain deadlocked through the final 27-plus minutes of regulation as well as the two ten-minute overtime sessions.

Worcester State senior goalkeeper Ashley Spellman (Lancaster, Mass.) came up with three key saves in the extra time to keep the score even.

Bridgewater State finished with a 21-12 shot advantage for the game as well as a decided 9-1 edge in corner kick attempts.

Senior netminder Tory Viola-Laughery (Brockton, Mass.) made three saves between the pipes for the visitors, while Spellman finished with ten saves.

The MASCAC schedule continues next Saturday afternoon for both teams. The Bears entertain the Owls of Westfield State University at noon, while the Lancers travel to Salem State University for a one o'clock game with the Vikings.