Click here for Westfield State-Salem State box score

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Courtesy Westfield State Sports Information

WESTFIELD, Mass. – The undefeated Westfield State University women’s soccer team struck for two quick goals early in the second half to upend Salem State University, 2-0, in the semifinals of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament on Friday evening, Nov. 2.

The Owls, 17-0-1, will host Bridgewater State University on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 1:00 p.m. in the MASCAC Tournament championship game, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III national tournament.  In Friday’s other semifinal match, Bridgewater, the No. 3 seed, outlasted No. 2 seed Worcester State in penalty kicks, 4-3. Bridgewater and Worcester played to a scoreless double overtime tie, with the Bears moving on to the championship game.

Salem State, which finished with a fine 10-6-2 overall record, held Westfield scoreless for nearly 60 minutes, then the Owls struck for their two goals in a 1:09 span. Sophomore back Ali Blanchette delivered the game-winning goal on a free kick from the 10-yard line. Blanchette blasted the goal inside the far post in the 60th minute.

In the 61st minute, sophomore Ashleigh Chretien scored an insurance goal that was set up by beautiful assists from the M&M Girls – senior forwards Brittanie McGregor and Kayley Miller.  Miller sent a nice pass from the 35 to McGregor at the 15. McGregor took two steps to break away from a Salem defender then delivered a pass to the middle of the field to Chretien, who scored to send the large crowd into a frenzy.

Westfield outshot Salem, 22-8. Salem goalie Rachel Ledbetter registered eight saves. Owl keeper Jess Habif made three saves, including a clutch save from point blank range near the post with eight minutes remaining in regulation.

Courtesy Worcester State Sports Information

Worcester, MA --- Third-seeded Bridgewater State and #2 Worcester State drew to a scoreless tie in double overtime, but the Bears prevailed in penalty kicks this evening in the semifinals of the MASCAC Women’s Soccer Tournament at Coughlin Field.
 
Bridgewater State moves on to Sunday’s championship game to take on top-seed an unbeaten Westfield State, who defeated #4 Salem State, 2-0, earlier this evening.
 
It marks the second time in the last three seasons that the Bears have made an appearance in the title game as they last played for the crown during their 2010 campaign. The Lancers await word on an ECAC bid as they move to 8-7-3 on the season.
 
In the opening frame, Worcester State had two chances to take over the lead. Sophomore Therese Morss (Marion, MA) was alone on the left side of the field following a long pass from the WSU 35-yardline by junior Brittany Rotatori (Auburn, MA) in the 26th minute.
 
However, Bridgewater State keeper Kerry Condon (Whitman, MA) came out of the net to make a tremendous sliding stop to keep the game right where it was.

Towards the end of the period, first-year Jackie Connors (Ashland, MA) also had a great opportunity on a middle cross by classmate Alicia Macomber (Stoughton, MA), but Condon diagnosed the play beautify and used the fingertips of her left hand to deflect the ball out of harm’s way.
 
Bridgewater State had just one chance in the first period as two of their first three bids were blocked by the Lancer defense.
 
Senior back Melanie Thompson (Abington, MA) had a good look in the middle from 20-yards away following a feed from the right side by freshman Mackenzie Hatfield (Whitman, MA), but first-year net minder Mia Koutoulas (Danvers, MA) snatched the ball to end the play.
 
Neither team had any quality chances on net in both the final 45 minutes of regulation and in the two subsequent overtime periods.
 
In the penalty kick session, both teams were tied 3-3 headed into the fifth round. WSU freshman Amanda Pruyn (Tyngsboro, MA) buried a shot on the left side of the net, but it was rejected by Condon. That set the stage for sophomore Emily Lane (Parsonsfeild, ME) who ended the contest to help the Bears advance to the championship game with a blast to the right corner.
 
Worcester State held the slight lead in shots (14-12 – 7-3 on goal) while both squads attempted two corners apiece.
 
Condon stopped all seven shots she was called upon to make in her second shutout of the season and the eighth for the team on the campaign. Koutoulas collected three saves as it marks the second opponent that she has blanked in 2012.