Bears clip Seahawks in overtime, 4-3

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. - Sophomore Molly Copeland (North Falmouth, Mass.) scored her second goal of the game 1:09 into overtime to lift the Bridgewater State University women's soccer team to a 4-3 win over Salve Regina Saturday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

Junior Amber LaPorte (New Hartford, Conn.) added a goal and an assist for the Bears, who won their season-opener under first-year head coach Lou Verrochi, who coached the BSU men's soccer team in 2001 and garnered MASCAC Coach of the Year honors. Sophomore Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) (right) scored all three goals for the Seahawks, who slipped to 1-1.

LaPorte's goal at 65:13 put the Bears in front 3-2, but Birrell's third of the game and fourth of the season at 79:39 evened the score at three and sent the game into overtime. In the extra frame, junior Jordan McDermott (East Bridgewater, Mass.) floated a pass to Copeland, who broke in alone on freshman goalie Jacqueline McPherson (Mansfield, Mass.) and beat her low to her left side.

"I thought we played a much better second half. The kids could have given up, but they didn't," said Salve Regina head coach Kerri Scroope. "To be 3-3 with Bridgewater...I can't remember ever being close with them in my four years here. Mistakes are what non-conference games are for. We got a great effort by Katie Birrell. She was on fire today. We've had two great games. Not necessarily the outcome we'd like today, but we got 110 percent effort from everybody. To be 3-3 with Bridgewater at the end of regulation is pretty impressive."

Copeland opened the scoring 3:49 into the contest when she scored off a pass from LaPorte. Birrell answered with unassisted tallies at 14:17 and again at 62:25 to put the Seahawks in front 2-1. Junior Laura Sudbury (Rockland, Mass.) tied the game at two when she knocked home a corner from senior Amanda Vigneault (Ludlow, Mass.).

Senior Kayla Grover (Haverhill, Mass.) made two saves for the Bears while freshman Jessica Lane (Marshfield, Mass.) started for the Seahawks and made two saves. McPherson came on to start the second half and notched two saves in defeat.

The Bears outshot the Seahawks 16-13 and held a 9-4 edge in corner kicks. With the win, Bridgewater State improves to 15-1-0 all-time against Salve Regina.

The Seahawks return to action on Tuesday when they host UMass Dartmouth at 4 p.m. The Bears host Babson next Saturday at 2 p.m.