Abby McMackin (Photo by Brooke Scoca)
Abby McMackin (Photo by Brooke Scoca)

McMackin's goal in second OT gives Seahawks 1-0 win over Bears

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior midfielder Abby McMackin (Walpole, Mass.) scored the game-winner in double overtime to lift the visiting Salve Regina University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater State University on Thursday night at windy Swenson Field.

The Seahawks improve to 2-4-2 on the season, while the host Bears fall to 3-4.

McMackin potted the winner 1:50 into the second overtime session. Senior midfielder Courtney Bouchard (Middleton, Mass.) set up the goal as she lofted a pass over the BSU defense. McMackin beat a defender to the ball and slipped a shot past the Bridgewater netminder.

Salve junior goalkeeper Carly Pala (Milford, Conn.) made nine saves including a number of key stops to record her second win of the season and third shutout.

The Bears held a 13-3 shot advantage in a scoreless first half. Bridgewater's best scoring chance in the opening stanza came in the 36th minute as Pala made a tremendous leaping save off a long shot from BSU sophomore midfielder Allison Aldred (Saugus, Mass.). Aldred's shot was labeled for the top left corner from 25 yards out.

Bridgewater outshot Salve, 8-4, in a fairly uneventful second stanza.

The Bears also had the best scoring chance late in the first overtime period as sophomore forward Alana Vincent (Taunton, Mass.) was robbed by the Salve keeper on a 2-on-1 break.

Bridgewater finished with a 24-10 shot advantage as well as a 7-3 edge in corner kick attempts.

BSU senior goalkeeper Lauren DeSousa (Taunton, Mass.) turned aside two shots in the setback.

The conference schedules resume for both teams on Saturday morning at 11. The Bears (3-4) travel to MASCAC foe Framingham State University to take on the Rams, while the Seahawks (2-4-2) head to CCC rival Western New England College to battle the Golden Bears.