Second Half Surge Pushes Owls Past Bridgewater, 17-9

WESTFIELD, Mass. –   Westfield State used a big second half to pull away for a 17-9 win over Bridgewater State in a non-conference women's lacrosse game at Alumni Field on Saturday Evening.

The Owls (6-1) won their sixth straight game.  Leading 10-8 with 11 minutes to play Westfield rattled off seven straight goals to put the game away, with two each from Haley Mate' and Natalie DeMaio in the decisive stretch.

DeMaio and Nicole Rinkus each finished with four goals to lead the Owls, with senior Sam Donohoe adding three goals and three assists.

Bridgewater (2-5) was led by three goals each from Kelsi Brennan and Savannah Herrington.

The two teams battled through an evenly matched first half tied at 4-4.   Westfield led 4-2 after Natalie DeMaio's second goal with 14:20 to play, but the Bears got goals from Kelsi Brennan and Savanna Herrington to level the game before the half.   Westfield had a goal by Sam Donohoe called off on the ensuing stick check midway through the first half.

Kara Banagan made 11 saves in goal for the Owls, while Olivia Kerrigan stopped 11 shots for the Bears.

Westfield is in contention for a spot in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference championship game, pending results from around the league next week.

The Owls will play at Mass Maritime Academy in a designated non-conference game next Thursday, April 22, which will be the final regular season game for Westfield.  The game previously scheduled against Salem State for April 24 has been cancelled due to protocols.

The MASCAC will feature a single 1 vs. 2 championship game this season as part of the league's pandemic return to play plan.

Westfield recognized its four seniors – Sam Donohoe, Haley Mate, Sarah Stapleton and Summer Zackaricz before the game.  That group has combined for a 53-20 overall record, three MASCAC titles and three NCAA tournament appearances in their careers.