Field Hockey Loses on Late Bridgewater Tally

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Freshman forward Victoria Camara's (Westport, Mass.) goal with 2:16 remaining in regulation sunk the Worcester State University field hockey team in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Bridgewater State University on Tuesday night at rainy Swenson Field. 

Sophomore forward Olivia Ahlman (Halifax, Mass.) also scored for the Bears who improve to 3-4 on the season and 2-3 in the Little East. The defending regular season champion Lancers fall to 4-4 overall and 3-1 in conference play.

BSU senior goalkeeper Allison Chappell (Raynham, Mass.) played very well between the pipes for the Bears as she turned aside 13 shots.

With the time ticking down in the second half, junior midfielder Jacquelyn Legendre (Westport, Mass.) sent a long pass into the circle and onto the stick of Ahlman. Ahlman ripped a shot that was turned aside by the right pad of Worcester freshman keeper Jess Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.). Camara, who was stationed near the left post, collected the loose ball and buried the game-winner.

Worcester junior forward Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) opened the scoring in the seventh minute off an assist from sophomore Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.). Hopkins sent in a long pass from well outside the circle towards the left post. Antonelli corralled the ball and beat Chappell with a shot inside the right post for her seventh goal of the season.

BSU senior midfielder Samantha Hayes (Norwood, Mass.) had a chance to tie it in the 18th minute as the Bears were awarded a penalty stroke, but her shot sailed wide of the net. Hayes, however, would come through just 13 seconds later as her shot from ten yards out was redirected into the back of the net by Ahlman. For Ahlman, the goal marked her second of the 2018 campaign.

Rachel Hopkins nearly reclaimed the lead for the Lancers in the opening minutes of the second half as her shot from the right side slipped through Chappell's pads. Chappell, however, recovered in time to clear the ball before it crossed the goal line.

Worcester State finished with a decided 21-6 shot advantage as well as an 8-2 edge in penalty corner attempts.

Jess Hopkins finished with two saves in goal for the Lancers.

In upcoming action, the Bears host Anna Maria College in a non-conference matchup on Thursday night at seven. The Lancers entertain Little East for University of Southern Maine on Saturday afternoon at three.

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