Statistics

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Bridgewater State raced to a 5-1 lead in the first quarter and maintained a comfortable cushion for the remainder of Friday afternoon's non-conference clash to earn a 16-9 win over the University of New England women's lacrosse team at Mazzaferro Field.
 
Meredith Sylvia and Erin McIntyre scored four goals apiece to pace the Bears (4-0). Sydney Balotin, one of four Nor'easters to find the back of the net, matched the Bridgewater State duo with four goals of her own. Vail Carruthers and Morgan White both scored two goals, and Molly Henderson added one.
 
The Bears tallied the first goal of the game less than 30 seconds into the opening quarter, and UNE (0-2) answered minutes later with White's first of the afternoon, but the Bears responded with a 4-0 run that was capped off by a pair of player-down goals. Henderson's score midway through the second helped the Nor'easters gain ground before three straight Bridgewater State goals allowed the Bears take an 8-3 lead into halftime.
 
Three of Balotin's four goals came in the second half, including back-to-back tallies late in the third quarter, but Bridgewater State maintained a lead of at least five down the stretch with the help of the offensive production it received from Sylvia and McIntyre.
 
UNE's Jenna Trafford made 10 saves between the pipes, and her counterpart Sara Skaff recorded nine for the Bears. Kimmy Staniar and Kaylee Lucas both delivered four caused turnovers, and Lucas added a game-high four groundballs. Sylvia, in addition to her scoring, pulled down a game-best eight draw controls.
 
The Nor'easters return home on Wednesday, March 5 to host Salem State at 4 p.m.