BSU Athletics Fall Update
By: Jesse Frazier
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — The fall sports season is closing as winter is right around the corner. Checking in on our football team, the Bears are 4-3 and are finally above .500 after dominating UMass Dartmouth 56-20 on homecoming. Bears quarterback Stefano D’Emilia tied school records on Homecoming Day with five passing touchdowns, 345 yards passing, and over 5,000 total yards in his career. This game was made special by their victory over Dartmouth, whom the Bears played yearly since 1988. After a bye week, the Bears defeated Plymouth State 28-10 at home.
Lady Bears tennis lost in the semifinals of the Little East Championship to Rhode Island College. The top-seeded host Anchorwomen won 5-0, ending Bridgewater State’s season with a 7-9 record. They hope to improve that record in 2020, where most of the roster will return to play next season.
Women’s soccer is now 10-7 after a blowout 8-2 victory over Framingham State on the road. They later defeated Fitchburg State on Senior Day with a 4-1 home win. On Oct. 29, the girls suffered their seventh loss of the season to the UMass Boston. The 2019 season’s final tilt was the Worcester State Lancers on Nov. 2, where they lost 3-1. Their impressive conference play qualifies them for a fortunate seed at the MASCAC Tournament, where they will once again take on Framingham State.
In cross-country, the men’s team finished first at the Western New England Invitational with five runners in the top 25. The Bears will travel to Worcester State for the MASCAC Championships with the Division III championships to conclude the 2019 season. The women’s team finished in fourth place at the Invitations with five placements in the top 60. These teams hope to finish the season strong in their final weeks.
Following the Hall of Fame Invitational in Amherst, Lady Bears volleyball lost two-of-three with a win over Dean College and two losses to Bates College and Bard College. The Bears rebounded at home against Mass Maritime with a 3-0 victory, but fell to Wentworth twice and to Babson College. They defeated MCLA in their final regular season game, and advanced over Salem State 3-0 in the MASCAC Tournament Quarterfinal.
The Equestrian team placed second at the Winters End Farm in Stoughton, and hosted at Legacy Stables in Middleboro Sunday with riders Ashley Crosby and Ashley Drake earning third-place ribbons.
Field hockey finished a long and disappointing 2-15 season with Senior Night at home against Salem State, where they dropped the last game 6-3. Field hockey only loses three seniors for next season, so this year is an opportunity for the team to learn through losing. They will need a new goalkeeper with senior Jillian Delaney graduating this year.
Finally, is our Men’s soccer team. The guys are 4-13-1 and qualifying in the MASCAC tournament after a solid 1-0 victory over Worcester State on Senior Day. Despite the struggles of the regular season, the Bears have a chance to rebound in the MASCAC Championship.
As the fall season comes to a close, the Bears appreciate the consistent support on campus. Their successes were not possible without the support and encouragement to keep playing their best. While some teams cap off successful seasons, others can use this year as a growth opportunity. Whatever happens next season, the Bears would like your support for the upcoming winter and spring seasons.
