Falcons Fall To Bears, 7-3

Laperle, Craig and Richard net one goal each in LEC setback 

Bridgewater, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University field hockey team dropped a 7-3 decision to the Bears of Bridgewater State in Little East Conference (LEC) action this afternoon at Swenson Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, Bridgewater State 7

Records: Fitchburg State (3-4, 2-2 LEC) | Bridgewater State (2-4, 1-3 LEC)

How It Happened

Bridgewater State took an early 3-0 advantage just seven minutes into the contest on goals by senior Julianne Kildduff (Bellingham, Mass./Bellingham), classmate Samantha Hayes (Norwood, Mass./Norwood) and sophomore Chloe Ahlman (Halifax, Mass./Silver Lake Regional).

Fitchburg State cut the deficit to 4-2 as sophomore Sophia Laperle (Auburn, Mass./Auburn) connected on her first tally of the season at the 10:31 mark, while freshman Sarah Craig (Ashburnham, Mass./Oakmont Regional) added her third goal of the year. Bridgewater State upped its margin just before the half when senior Alexandra Zoebisch (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South) notched her fourth score of the 2018 season.

In the second half, the Falcons continued to battle (6-3) as senior Molly Richard (Leominster, Mass./St. Bernard's) gathered a feed from junior Aislinn DeHorsey (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) and deposited a shot into the back of the cage.

The Bears, secured the victory with less than two minutes remaining in the contest when Hayes collected a pass from senior Kathryn Jacobson (Norfolk, Mass./King Philip Regional) and tucked the ball inside the near post for her second goal of the game, resulting in the 7-3 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest will mark the 32nd meeting between the two squads in the sport of field hockey with the Falcons currently 7-25-1 all-time when taking on the Bears.

Bridgewater State has won eight of the previous nine contest against Fitchburg State with the Falcons coming away with 4-1 triumph last season at Elliot Field.

In the cage, freshman Abby Bryant (Ware, Mass./Quabbin Regional) turned aside 12 shots for the Falcons in the setback, while junior Jillian Delaney (Foxboro, Mass./Foxboro) made seven saves for the Bears in the victory

Richard finished the contest with a game-best eight shots for Fitchburg State.

Bridgewater State held a 22-17 margin in shots, while Fitchburg State finished with an 8-2 edge in penalty corners.

Up Next

Falcons will host the Rams of Framingham State University on Tuesday for an LEC clash, starting at 4:00 PM. Bears will host the Lancers of Worcester State University on the same date for a conference tilt at 7:00 PM.