Panthers finish regular season tied for second place

            BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior Bethany Bush (Littleton, Mass.) tallied a goal and an assist Saturday afternoon to lead the Bridgewater State University field hockey team to a key 3-1 Little East Conference victory over Plymouth State University on Senior Day at Swenson Field in the regular season finale for both schools.

            The outcome created a three-way tie for second place in the LEC field hockey standings between Bridgewater State, Plymouth State and Keene State College, all with 8-3 conference records.  Bridgewater State (9-7 overall) defeated both PSU and KSC this season and will be the second seed in next week's Little East Tournament.  The Bears will host seventh seeded Western Connecticut State University on Tuesday night at 7:00 PM in the opening round.  Plymouth State (11-6 overall) is the No. 3 seed and will entertain No.6 Southern Maine Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.

            Bush assisted on the opening tally of the night as junior Breanna Clement (Pittsfield, Mass.) scored in the 20th minute to give BSU the early lead. PSU sophomore Olivia Colborn (Lancaster, N.H.) banged home a one-timer off a feed from junior Lauren Bergeron (New Hampton, N.H.) less than eight minutes later to knot the game at 1-1.

            Bush notched her team-leading 19th goal of the season off a rebound of a Shelby Farland (Fiskdale, Mass.) shot with two minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the opening half, to put the Bears up to stay. Farland would notch a big insurance goal on a penalty stroke in the 63rdminute to put the game out of reach. Bush drew the foul that gave Farland the stroke attempt.

            Senior goaltender Katie Weber (Arlington, Mass.) was terrific between the pipes for Bridgewater as she turned aside 11 shots.  Sophomore Hilary Lemelin (Milan, N.H.) made five saves in goal for the Panthers who outshot the Bears by a margin of 17-12 and also held a 23-7 advantage in penalty corners.  Freshman half defender Aisha Rai Thompson (Berlin, N.H.) registered a first half defensive save for Plymouth. 

 (Courtesy of Bridgewater State Sports Information) 

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