Standout Rookie Helps Women's Soccer Reach NCAAs

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The transition from high school soccer to the college level has been a smooth one for Hope Montgomery (Abington, Mass.).

The Bridgewater State University freshman moved into the Bears' starting lineup right away on opening day back on Labor Day Weekend and has been one of the keys to the team's stingy defense.

BSU allowed only three goals in seven Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season games and just 26 goals in 19 games overall, and Montgomery has been front and center on defense.

It didn't take long for coach Yasmina Carvalho to recognize that she would be starting a freshman on defense with a pair of seniors, Sydney Dewhurst (East Bridgewater, Mass.) and Bailey Brown (Plymouth, Mass.) in front of junior goalkeeper Logan Levesque (Bristol, R.I.).

"The way that she came in during preseason proved to us that she could handle a lot more than we were expecting physically, especially against some of the tougher teams who have strong players," said Carvalho.

"For us, when she came in and just started battling with some of the top teams in New England we said, 'There's your spot, you take it, it's all yours.'"

The play of Montgomery is one of the reasons why BSU (12-4-3) has reached the NCAA Division 3 tournament for the first time since 2013.

After winning the MASCAC regular-season and tourney championships, the Bears are bound for Ewing, N.J., to play at 10th-ranked The College of New Jersey (17-0-2) on Saturday at 11 a.m.

Montgomery was named the MASCAC Rookie of the Week the first two weeks of November when the Bears went 3-0-1 and punched the ticket to the NCAAs. She started 18 of 19 games, coming off the bench on Senior Day.

One year after playing for Abington High School, Montgomery is on the national stage, playing for one of 64 teams chasing the NCAA title.

"It feels so good," said Montgomery. "This is such an amazing team. We're all friends, there's no groups. For us to go this far my freshman year, I feel like I'll never find a team like this. But I know there'll be more amazing people coming in here."

Montgomery has three sisters who got her involved in soccer at an early age, and she was the only one who played defense.

Eve played at Division 1 Manhattan College, Faith played at Regis College and Carlee played in high school.

Defense is what always appealed to Hope Montgomery, and she excels at the position.

"All my sisters were forwards or midfielders, but my whole life, I've been on defense," she said. "I just never really saw a place for me up there. I feel like I'm defending my team. This is my family and I'm defending them in the back. They can do all the fancy stuff. I'll be back here.

"Family is a really big thing for me and that's exactly what Bridgewater brings. I just feel like defending with my whole heart is all that matters to me. I don't care if I score. It doesn't matter to me as long as we win and we have fun and I'm back there with everyone. It's amazing."

Montgomery had an assist in her collegiate debut against North Central and another against the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, but her focus is on preventing opponents from scoring.

With talented veterans Dewhurst and Brown, two of the best in the MASCAC, Montgomery gives the Bears a solid defensive unit in front of Levesque.

BSU limited the conference's leading goal scorer, Delaney Parker, to just one shot on goal when the Bears defeated Westfield State, 3-2, in the MASCAC final Sunday. The Bears' defense also held Parker off the scoreboard in a 2-1 regular season win.

"Her tactical smarts defensively one vs. one are just so cool to watch," said Carvalho, "especially for an 18-year-old who doesn't have a lot of exposure to tough games.

"Having her come in here and battle the way she's been battling all season is just very impressive and kudos to what she did over the summer to prepare for collegiate soccer."

Said Montgomery: "I'm very hard working. If I lose a ball, I'll get back to it immediately. I do not linger on my downfalls. I'm very confident in the way I play. I'll go right for that tackle."

It has been a satisfying first collegiate season for Montgomery, one that is highlighted by a trip to the NCAAs.

But back in the summer during preseason practices, she wasn't sure what the future held.

"When I was trying out, I was very nervous about getting on the team," said Montgomery. "I didn't know. Coach was making cuts and said that we have two more cuts and there were seven freshmen. I was extremely nervous because we have such a great team.

"Everyone told me I'd be fine, don't worry about it. I called my mom immdiately after I made it. I was so excited and happy."

Carvalho says there was never any reason for Montgomery to worry about being on the Bears.

"That's her overthinking," said Carvalho with a smile. "We told her, 'You have a roster spot, you're on the team, but she still thought she was going to get cut.

"I was like, 'There was no way you were going to get cut. You were one of our top recruits. It's impossible.' She just came in and was ready to fight.

"What a great add she has been."