Bella Eduardo's Hat Trick Powers Women's Soccer Past Bridgewater, 4-1

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior midfielder Bella Eduardo (Springfield, Mass.) recorded a hat trick to lead the visiting Westfield State University women's soccer team to a 4-1 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Bridgewater State University on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.

The Owls improve to 3-4-1 on the season and 1-1 in the MASCAC, while the Bears fall to 4-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play. Westfield holds a 21-15-8 advantage in the all-time series.

Eduardo netted the only goal of the first half as she beat the BSU netminder with a shot inside the right post from just outside the six in the 13^th minute.

The Owls scored three times in a span of 5:07 midway through the second half to put the game out of reach. Eduardo scored the first two goals of the three-goal uprising, while freshman forward Marissa Jacob (Jefferson, Mass.) also found the back of the net.

BSU senior forward Alana Vincent (Taunton, Mass.) broke up the shutout bid as she potted her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the 79^th minute. Vincent's shot from 25-yards out went off the outstretched hands of the leaping Westfield keeper and trickled over the goal line.

The Owls finished with an 18-15 shot advantage for the game, while the Bears held a 7-4 edge corner kick attempts.

Junior midfielder Lydia Kinsman (Granville, Mass.) and sophomore midfielder Jenn Rennich (Bedford, Mass.) added two assists apiece for Westfield.

Freshman goalkeeper Lauren Butler (Spencer, Mass.) made six saves to register her first collegiate win between the pipes for the Owls. Senior netminder Kellie Souza (Wilmington, Mass.) turned aside four shots in the setback for the Bears.

The Bears begin a three day road-swing next Wednesday night when they travel to Roger Williams University for a seven o'clock game with the Hawks. The Owls entertain Elms College also on Wednesday night at 3:30 p.m.