Fall Sports Update
With every new year at Bridgewater State University comes new excitement across campus when it comes to sports, especially if you are deeply invested in sports or want to go to a game or match. There are five Fall sports here on campus, cross country, football, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball. For those who don’t know, BSU competes in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, known as MASCAC for short. The Bears performed well last season in football, men’s soccer, and women’s soccer. However, the Bears had a rough season last year with cross country for both men’s and women’s, field hockey, and volleyball.
Despite a less than desirable 2023, the men’s cross country team had a good finish of fourth place, and Kevin McBriney was named runner of the week on September 3. While the women’s team did not place on August 31 during their meet in Attleboro, Naomi Cass performed well. She even captured the top time for the second year in a row. The Bears next meet for both men’s and women’s is on September 21.
The Bears’ football team went 7-3 and emerged victorious in the Cranberry Bowl against Mass Maritime 48-6 in 2023. The Bears dropped their season opener at home to MIT, 37-17, however. The 2024 schedule is headlined by the 2024 Homecoming game against Worcester State on October 5 and a Cranberry Bowl rematch against Mass Maritime on November 16. The Bears’ next game is against Plymouth State on September 21.
The Bears’ field hockey team had an unimpressive 4-12-1 season last year and are out to a 1-2 start in 2024 under the leadership of third year head coach Ashley Bishop. Junior Lexi James is looking to build upon her impressive 2023 season in 2024 when she led all Bears with 22 points. The Bears’ next game is against Salem State on September 21.
The men’s soccer team went 12-3-5 last season and made the NCAA Qualifier under head coach Brendan Adams, now in his 23rd season. The early returns in 2024 have not been too impressive, as the Bears have gone 1-2-1 so far, with the highlight being Jacob Ramos being named co-defensive player of the week on September 9. The women’s soccer team went 11-6-1 in 2023, losing the MASCAC Championship game. So far, the Bears have gone 1-1-1 to start their season. Olivia Robarge and Makenna Lessard were named offensive and defensive player of the week respectively by the MASCAC conference on September 9. The women’s team led by head coach Yasmina Carvalho will face Worcester State on September 23.
The volleyball team has started 1-4 this season, which is how the started last year during a 4-13 season in 2023. However, Ava Crane, a sophomore, was named the MASCAC Rookie of the Week after the Bears’ first four games. Kim Gowell, a junior, was named Offensive Player of the Week by the conference. Lilly Misay, a sophomore, was named Defensive Player of the Week. The Bears play next against Curry College on September 23.
