Lacrosse Season Ends with oss to Curry College

Steven M Miller Jr, Staff Writer


With a 17-10 loss in the ECAC semi-finals (on Friday) to #2 seeded Curry College, the #3 seeded Bridgewater State College women's lacrosse season ends with a 9-7 overall record.

BSC was down 13-2 at the half, but battled back to make the score 14-7, on a 5-1 scoring run. But Curry rattled off 2 quick goals to make it a 16-5 lead. Bridgewater State tried to make it close. They ended the game with a 6-3 run, but it wasnt enough as time ran out for the Bears.

Bridgewater State had its opportunities to score goals, attempting 22 shots in the game (14 in the second half).

"I thought we dominated in the second half," said head coach Erika Smith. "If we played like that the whole game, we would have won."

The Bears were led by freshman attacker Shannon Manning and junior midfielder Alison Gugliotta who scored three goals apiece. Senior attacker Alicia Spolidoro also chipped in with two goals.

On defense sophomore defenseman Sarah Pimental and senior attacker Kathleen Sweeney each forced two of the teams 9 ground balls.

"When its playoff time it's a matter of who wants it more," said Smith. "It was a matter of who had the fight in them (down the stretch) and that was their fuel on offense and defense."

Sweeney agreed with Coach Smith. She said that the lacrosse team never gave up during the game.

"I think we never gave up and played poised the whole time," said Sweeney. "We (never once) got down on ourselves."

In the net, freshman Chelsea Bracci registered 11 saves in the loss. This was her third start in as many games, filling in for injured goalie Jessica Cerone.

Coach Smith said that she was really proud of Bracci's performance. According to Smith, Bracci has only been playing lacrosse for the last four months.

"Chelsea came to us with no experience playing lacrosse," said Coach Smith.

Curry was relentless on offense shooting as many as 33 attempts in the 17 point loss. Coach Smith said that she was happy about Bracchi's performance.

"(Today) she came up with some huge saves, she played low (in the net) and with confidence," said Coach Smith. "I can't wait to see what (kind of goalie) she becomes in the future."

While loosing in the ECAC semifinals was a rough way to end their postseason run, Coach Smith said that shes happy about the future of the program.

"I'm very excited for what this team might be able to do next year," said Coach Smith. "With a 9 win season we are still trying to step up the ladder. We had 4 starters that were brand new to BSC and we have a great recruiting class coming up. It is an exciting future for Bridgewater lacrosse."

Coach Smith said that she was very proud of her lacrosse squad and how they played after being down at the half (10-2).

"This team never gave up," said coach Smith. "This is very hard to teach players because its one thing to tell them to do it. It has to be in them in the heart."

Sweeney is one of the three seniors that will be leaving the BSC lacrosse program. She leaves along with defenseman Kathleen Cote, and Spolidoro.

"It was a successful and unforgettable ride that I wouldn't go back and change it," said Sweeney.

The Bridgewater State women's lacrosse ends its postseason run with a 9-7 overall record and 8-6 in regular season play, on an independent league schedule.


Photo 1: The BSC women's lacrosse team stretching before the semi-final match starts.

Photo 2: Midfielder Alison Gugliotta tries defend and get the ball away from Curry center Nikky Mackay.

Photo 3: Freshman goalie Chelsea Bracchi watches the action down-field.

Photo 4: Freshman attacker Shannon Manning waits for the signal on the penalty attempt.

Photo 5: The BSC women's lacrosse team huddles up before the game starts.


Photos courtesy of Jennifer Beaudry