WESTFIELD, Mass. -- For the first time since the 2013-14 season, Bridgewater State claims the 2018-19 Howard C. Smith Cup. The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the 15 league championship sports.

The Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Howard C. Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State institutions to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference. In June of 1971, Smith’s dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created.

Bridgewater State finished the year with 108.50 points out of a possible 148 (73.31 percent). The Bears topped the standings in field hockey, men’s outdoor track and field and a tie for first in softball while finishing second in men’s cross country, football, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s outdoor track and field and women’s lacrosse. 

Coming in second is Westfield State with 113.50 points out of 160 possible (70.94 percent). The Owls  came in first in baseball and women’s outdoor track and field while tying for first in women’s basketball. They were second in women’s cross country and men’s basketball plus tied for second in men’s ice hockey. 

Worcester State is next in third with 103.50 points out of a possible 160 (64.69 percent). The Lancers sat atop the MASCAC standings in women’s cross country, volleyball, women’s soccer and ice hockey while tying for first in women’s basketball. They were also second in field hockey and men’s outdoor track and field. 

Sitting in the fourth spot with 92.50 points out of 160 possible (60.06 percent) is Framingham State. The Rams were first in men’s soccer, football and women’s lacrosse plus tied for first in softball. They claimed the third spot in baseball and fourth in women’s cross country, women’s soccer, women’s basketball and a tie for fourth in volleyball. 

Landing in fifth is Fitchburg State. The Falcons had 74.50 points out of 160 available (46.56 percent) after finishing first in men’s cross country, second in baseball plus tied for second in men’s ice hockey, third in field hockey and men’s basketball and tied for third in softball.

Salem State is in the sixth spot with 54 points out of 120 available  (45 percent). The Vikings were first in men’s basketball, tied for second in volleyball, third in men’s soccer, fourth in men’s ice hockey while tying for fourth in baseball. 

Rounding out this year’s standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers finished the year with 26 points (23.21 percent) out of 112 possible points. They were tied for fourth in football and fifth in women’s cross country, men’s outdoor track and field and women’s lacrosse. The Trailblazers had 19.50 points (17.41 percent) out of 112 available points. They were tied for fifth in softball and sixth in volleyball.