Women's Lax Stops Bridgewater, 13-7 in MASCAC Opener

WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Cassidy Harvey (Niskayuna, N.Y.) scored five goals to lead Westfield State to a 13-7 win over Bridgewater State University in the MASCAC women's lacrosse opener for both teams on Saturday evening at Alumni Field.

Westfield improves to 4-5 overall and 1-0 in the MASCAC.   Bridgewater is now 4-5 and 0-1 in the MASCAC.

The Owls were picked to win the conference in the league's preseason poll, while the Bears were picked fifth.

Westfield ran out to a 7-2 lead behind three first-half goals from Harvey, and led 7-4 at the half after a pair of Nina Liquori (Agawam, Mass.) free-position goals for Bridgewater closed the scoring in a roughly played first half that include 16 total fouls and seven cards across the two teams.

The Owls led 10-5 after 3 quarters.

Westfield's Emma Cretella (Cheshire, Conn. /St. Paul's) tallied a short-handed free position goal with 10:06 left in regulation time, which made it 12-5 and forced a Bears timeout.  Westfield hung on down the stretch, running off clock late to preserve the win. 

Cretella added three goals and an assist for the Owls, with Nicole Rinkus (Pembroke, Mass.)adding two more.

Wetsfield got a strong game in goal from Kara Banagan (Niskayuna, N.Y.) who finished with 15 saves and grabbed five ground balls.

Bridgwater g0t 13 saves in goal from Olivia Kerrigan (Braintree, Mass.).  Liquori led the scoring roll with two goals and an assist, with Katie O'Brien (Pembroke, Mass.) adding two goals.  

Westfield led in shots 32-28, and the Owls were outstanding in their clears with 17 of 19 successful, while Bridgewater was 18:22.

The fouls slowed in the second half, but the game featured 11 total cards.  Three of Bridgewater's goals were scored in man-up situations, while the Owls had one goal with the extra attacker.

Westfield State will next play Wheaton at home on Wedneday, April 6 in a non conference game.