Ashley Bovat moves the ball upfield vs. Salem State. (file photo)
WESTFIELD – Senior midfielder Ashley Bovat (Westfield/ Westfield, Mass.) scored the game’s lone goal three minutes into the second half, leading the Westfield State Owls women’s soccer team to a 1-0 win over Salem State in both team’s MASCAC league opener Saturday evening at Alumni Field.
Bovat chased down a beautiful, long through pass from freshman Nicole Chretien (North Attleboro/ North Attleboro, Mass.), blazing through a thicket of Viking defenders before beating the keeper, senior Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut/ Dracut, Mass.), in a one-on-one in front of the net.
Westfield State improved to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the MASCAC, while Salem State dropped to 1-5, 0-1 in the MASCAC.
Salem State had some strong scoring chances later in the second half, but the Owls defense held up—with some help from lady luck.
In the 62nd minute, Vikings senior forward Kelly Birchmore (Sawmpscott/ Swampscott, Mass.) curved a shot past the outstretched arms of Owls goalkeeper Anne Stack (East Longmeadow/ East Longmeadow, Mass.), diving for the save, but the shot clanged against the inside left post and bounced away harmlessly.
Three minutes later, Salem State junior Victoria Clancy (Boston Latin/ Dorchester, Mass.) followed up on her own corner kick, ripping a shot that bounced squarely off the crossbar.
Salem State’s best offensive attacks came off its corner kicks, where the Vikings held a 6-2 advantage. Westfield State outshot the Vikings, 15-11.
Ledbetter made six saves in the loss for Salem State, while Stack stopped all three Vikings shots on net to earn the win.
Westfield State returns to action on Tuesday, September 22, hitting the road to play Simmons at 7 p.m.
