BSU Athletics Fall Wrap Up and Winter Preview
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Cold temperatures moved in and winter sports are starting to take over here at Bridgewater State. With fall seasons coming to end in each sport except football, cross-country and equestrian, it is time to preview and cover the winter Bears teams, but not before recognizing the achievements of the teams that have finished their seasons.
The football team traveled to Mass Maritime for the 41st annual Cranberry Bowl on Nov. 16, winning 26-21 at Clean Harbors Stadium on Buzzards Bay. The Bears took this game with an impressive performance from Lee Harrington Award-winning quarterback Stefano D’Emilia, who accounted for 214 total yards and all four touchdowns for the Bears, concluding their season on a positive note.
The Bridgewater State equestrian team concluded their inaugural season at Karen Strives 68’ Equestrian Center in Wellesley, finishing with seven riders who qualified for the spring postseason.
In cross-country, the men and women’s teams participated in the Division III Championships at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, ME on Nov 16. The men’s team finished 21st with 691 total points in all events, while the women’s team finished 15th. They travel to Louisville, KY for the second leg of the NCAA Division III Championships on Nov. 23. The Bears hope to show their strengths on the national stage.
The men’s basketball team opened its season with at Middlebury College for the Middlebury Classic on Nov. 15 and 16, with the Bears suffering two close losses to Middlebury College and SUNY Canton. While two losses to start the season are disappointing, these losses do not count against their division record and start the season off with a challenge. The Bears begin conference play with three-straight home games against UMass Boston (Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.), Endicott College (Nov. 23, 5:30 p.m.), and Rhode Island College (Nov. 26, 7:30 p.m.) to open up Tinsley Center for another season.
The Lady Bears basketball season opened in Beverly against the Endicott Gulls, a 95-69 defeat. Next for the Bears is the home opener next week against UMass Dartmouth and then the Cave Classic against Salve Regina on Nov. 22. With multiple home games to follow on the home court, the ladies will also be looking to get off to a hot start before Thanksgiving Break.
In Wrestling, the men had four matches since the start of the month. They opened their season at Roger Williams with a 35-9 defeat on Nov. 1, but avenged that loss with a close 20-19 victory over New England College at home on Nov. 6. Since their first win, the Bears dropped two-straight matches to Johnson and Wales and Southern Maine. They returned to Roger Williams for the school’s Invitational tournament, with Bridgewater State finishing 7th in teams competition.
The Bridgewater State Swim and Dive teams have been in competition since mid-October with competitions all over New England. The men and women’s clubs opened their seasons with the 8th annual Arsenault Memorial at Moriarty Pool on Oct. 12, with both clubs taking first-place in the event. The men won first place at the Memorial Relay and then won four of their next five meets to start the season. The Lady Bears have an even 3-3 record with a win over Gordon College on Nov. 16. The swims teams will finish out November at Elms College on Nov. 2
As the turkeys are carved and thanksgiving plans are made the seasons of our winter athletes will be taking full form with fall becoming history. Courts are squeaking with shoes, wrestlers pinned to matts, and pools full of activity. The cold air may force us indoors to support our Bears but that doesn’t slow down the action. Stay up to date with your winter athletes as there winter stories are written and make sure to get on campus and support the Bears!
