Bears Clip AMCATS in Field Hockey Action, 2-0

Paxton, Mass. – Anna Maria College sophomore goaltender Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH) had a career-high 21 saves, including a penalty stroke, but it wasn't enough as visiting Bridgewater State University downed the AMCATS, 2-0 in non-conference field hockey action on Thursday evening at AMCAT Field.

Bridgewater notched an early tally, just over three minutes into the contest. Senior Demi Miskiv (Centerville, Mass.) drove a hard ball from the top of the circle to the right post where sophomore Brittney Field (Hubbardston, Mass.) tipped the drive into the open left corner for the quick 1-0 lead.

Anna Maria picked up the pace and had two back-to-back opportunities with shots from junior Nichole Lowe (Saugus, Mass) and freshman Katie Moran (Leicester, Mass.) but couldn't penetrate the Bears' netminder Kacie Sturgeon (Dartmouth, Mass.). Sturgeon would finish with five saves on the night for her eighth win of the season.

The Bears would hold a 12-2 first half advantage in shots and picked up seven penalty corner opportunities while AMC had no corners in the 30 minute stanza.

Breen would be outstanding to start the second half making several saves to keep it a 1-0 game. At 47:17 junior Jaclyn Holahan (South Yarmouth, Mass.) would be awarded a penalty stroke after an Anna Maria defender stopped the ball from crossing the goal line with her leg.  From seven yards away Holahan flick a shot low and outside that Breen knocked away for the save.

The Bears would continue to apply pressure to the AMCATS and at 58:30 senior Carrisa Vizakis (Bellingham, Mass.) would add an insurance goal putting back a rebound off Breen's pads for her eighth goal of the season.

AMC's Lowe and Moran would finish the game with two shots on net while freshman Kayla Garczynski (Norwood, Mass.) would add another attempt.

Anna Maria will now move into New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) play when the head to Regis College for a 6:00 pm tilt while Bridgewater will head to Worcester State University on Saturday afternoon for a 6:00 pm match-up.