By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team began the home portion of its schedule with a non-conference loss.

Junior Emma Sanson (Thomaston, Conn.) scored three goals to lead Eastern Connecticut State to a 4-1 victory over the Bears at Mazzaferro Field Saturday afternoon.

BSU falls to 0-2, including an opening-day loss at Plymouth State University, while ECSU is now 2-0 after beginning the season with a 5-0 win over Regis.

Following a scoreless first period, the Warriors took a 1-0 lead when Sanson scored an unassisted goal at 27:16.

Eastern Connecticut State made it 2-0 less than three minutes later on a goal by sophomore Grace Barlage (Guilford, Conn.), her fifth of the season. Barlage was assisted by senior Liz LaMarco (West Hartford, Conn.) at 29:56.

Less than a minute into the second half, Sanson struck again with another unassisted goal for a 3-0 lead at 30:50.

Sanson finished the scoring for the Warriors with her fourth goal of the season less than two minutes later as she redirected a shot by junior Angelina Falleni (Byram, N.J.) at 32:25. 

The Bears averted a shutout in the final seconds when sophomore Abbie Zuber (Westport, Mass.) registered an unassisted goal with just one second left in the game. Zuber stickhandled in from the right side and ripped a shot inside the left post for her third goal of the season.

BSU junior goalkeeper Brianna Gagnon (Tewksbury, Mass.) made seven stops. The Bears also received three defensive saves from senior Noelle Cornetta (Hanson, Mass.) and two from junior Emelia Westwater (Attleboro, Mass.).

Eastern Connecticut State senior Kiana Webster (Raymond, Maine) played the first three periods and made three saves while junior Hannah Jalowiec (Cheshire, Conn.) played the final 15 minutes and did not record a save.

The Warriors held advantages of 11-4 in shots on goal and 16-6 in shots.

BSU will be home again on Wednesday night when it faces Dean College at 7 p.m. ECSU plays Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Springfield College.