Women's Soccer Blanks Suffolk, 5-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior forward Michelle Belcher (Norton, Mass.) scored a pair of goals to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 5-0 shutout victory over Suffolk University on Tuesday night at James A. Sartori Field.

The Bears improve to 1-1-1 on the young season with their first win, while the host Rams fall to 1-1-1.

Belcher got Bridgewater on the board in the eighth minute as she converted off a long volley from junior midfielder Sydney Dewhurst (East Bridgewater, Mass.). The goal marked the first of the season for the Bears as well as the first collegiate assist for Dewhurst.

Senior forward Erin Clancey (Middletown, R.I.) capitalized on a nice feed from graduate forward Madelyn Morin (East Longmeadow, Mass.) in the 42nd minute to give the visitors a 2-0 lead at the break. Morin beat the outside defender to the end line and slipped a pass towards the weak-side post and Clancey calmly tucked a shot into the open side.

Junior midfielder Makenna Lessard (East Bridgewater, Mass.) set up Belcher's second goal of the evening in the 61st minute to make it a 3-0 game. Lessard flicked the ball to the top of the 18 and Belcher turned a ripped a shot into the back of the net. For Lessard, the assist marked her first collegiate point.

Sophomore forward Bailey Brown (Plymouth, Mass.) found the back of the net in the 64th minute to increase the BSU lead to 4-0 with freshman forward Abigail Shea (Somerset, Mass.) picking up her first career assist. Shea beat the defender to the end line and played the ball across the six to Bailey who beat the Suffolk netminder.

Freshman forward Olivia Robarge (Pepperell, Mass.) netted her first collegiate goal in the 84th minute to round out the scoring. Freshman midfielder Lauren Sellmayer (North Easton, Mass.) collected her first collegiate assist on the Robarge scoring strike. Robarge corralled the rebound of Sellmayer's shot from 35 yards out and tucked a shot inside the right post.

The Bears held a decided 28-7 shot advantage for the game as well as an 8-3 edge in corner kick attempts.

Freshman goalkeeper Logan Levesque (Bristol, R.I.), making her collegiate debut for the Bears, turned aside two shots to notch her first win and shutout. Freshman keeper Sophia Barker (Old Saybrook, Conn.) made ten saves in the setback for the Rams.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday at noon. The Bears host Lesley University, while the Rams entertain Wellesley College.