Bridgewater State Stops Fitchburg State, 2-0

Ta. Van Ahnen posts eight saves in net despite loss

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (October 11, 2008) - The Fitchburg State field hockey team suffered a tough 2-0 setback to Bridgewater State College in Little East Conference action this afternoon. The loss snaps the Falcons four-game winning streak.

Junior Kelly Downs (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) led the Bridgewater State charge with three points on one goal and one assist, while classmate Stephanie Barry (Pembroke, Mass./Pembroke) aided the Bears with one score.

Bridgewater State opened the scoring early in the match as Barry connected for her third goal of the season off an assist from Downs. The Bears out-shot the Falcons 5-0 in the half but sophomore goaltender Taylor Van Ahnen (Seekonk, Mass./Seekonk) made three first half saves to keep Fitchburg State within striking distance.

In the second half, Bridgewater State notched an early goal again as Down completed a penalty stroke just 3:19 into the frame. The goal was Downs third score of the season.

Bridgewater State out-shot Fitchburg State 16-3 in the contest, with a 15-3 advantage in corners. Van Ahnen made eight stops in net for the Falcons, while sophomore Katie Weber (Arlington, Mass./Arlington) recorded one save for the Bears.

Fitchburg State (7-5, 4-3 LEC) will be in action again on Tuesday as it hosts Salve Regina at 7 p.m. Bridgewater State (5-7, 4-3 LEC) will host Western Connecticut State University next Saturday at 2 p.m.

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Bridgewater State 2, Fitchburg State 0

Scoring:
First Half: BSC: Stephanie Barry (Kelly Downs), 7:08;
Second Half:  BSC: Kelly Downs, 38:19;
Goaltending: FSC: Taylor Van Ahnen (70:00), eight saves; BSC: Katie Weber (51:07) one save; Chelsea Bracchi (18:53), no saves;
Shots On Goal: FSC: 3; BSC: 16