Meagan McLaughlin scores her team-leading fourth goal in six games. (Photo by George Corrigan)
Meagan McLaughlin scores her team-leading fourth goal in six games. (Photo by George Corrigan)

McLaughlin scores her team-leading fourth goal in Seahawk setback

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (September 18, 2019) -- Senior forward Alana Vincent (Taunton, Mass.) scored a pair of goals including the game-winner with just 6:14 remaining in regulation to lift the Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over visiting Salve Regina University on Wednesday afternoon at Swenson Pitch.

The host Bears improve to 2-3 on the season with the their second straight win, while the Seahawks fall to 3-3.

The Bears are now 13-4-1 (6-3 at home) versus the Seahawks since 2002 as the two teams have met in each of the last 18 seasons.

Vincent opened the scoring in the 25th minute. After corralling a loose ball in the box, Vincent ripped a shot that deflected off a Salve defender and found its way inside the left post.

Freshman forward Meagan McLaughlin (East Hampton, Mass.) tied the game for Salve Regina in the 33rd minute as she scored off the rebound of her own breakaway shot. The Seahawks nearly tied the game just moments before as senior midfielder Katie Szemreylo (Marlborough, Conn.) knocked one off the crossbar and McLaughlin chipped the rebound over the net.

The Bears had a golden opportunity to break the tie on a semi-breakaway in the opening minute of the second half, but Vincent's shot from the left side sailed wide of the far post.

With time winding down in regulation Vincent scored on a breakaway as she beat the Salve keeper one-on-one with a shot into the left side of the net. Senior defender Kaitlyn Bongarzone (Mansfield, Mass.) assisted on Vincent's team-leading third goal of the season and 20th of her career.

The Seahawks finished with a slight edge in both shots (21-20) and corner kick attempts (11-10).

BSU senior goalkeeper Kellie Souza (Wilmington, Mass.) made six saves (four in the second half) to record her second win of the season. Freshman netminder Jenna Park (Barrington, R.I.) also turned aside six shots in the setback for the visitors.

Both teams open conference play on Saturday. The Bears entertain Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe MCLA at 11 a.m., while the Seahawks host Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) rival Endicott College at noon.