Men's Soccer Drops 2-1 Decision at Bridgewater State
Bridgewater, Mass. - The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team overcame Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Framingham State, 2-1, in a hard-fought, physical match on a windy Saturday afternoon at Swenson Pitch.
The Bears improve to 9-3 and 4-1 in the MASCAC, while the loss gives the Rams a record of 9-5 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The scoring began in the 29th minute as junior midfielder Donald Flores (Cranston, RI) put a direct kick onto the net. Rams senior keeper Greg Halle (Beverly, Mass.) made a diving save but could not control the rebound. Freshman forward Craig Shadduck (Braintree, Mass.) took full advantage and knocked home the loose ball into the unguarded goal.
Bridgewater took the one-goal lead into the intermission. In the 71st minute, the Bears made it a 2-0 games as sophomore midfielder Tucker Fairbanks (Plympton, Mass.) came down the left side, cut into the middle and curled a shot inside the far post.
The Rams came roaring back just one minute later. Sophomore forward Chris Wilkins (Heath, Mass.) sent a long throw-in to senior forward co-captain Jason Silva (Northbridge, Mass.) who slid the ball by junior goalie DJ Siewierski (Stow, Mass.) to cut the Bears lead in half.
Bridgewater held a 17-14 advantage in shots for the game. Siewierski made four saves between the pipes for the Bears, while senior Greg Halle (Beverly, Mass.) turned aside five shots for Framingham.
Bridgewater is currently in second place in the conference standings trailing only Salem State (4-0 MASCAC) who plays tonight at Westfield State (3-1 MASCAC). The Bears host Wheaton College next Wednesday at seven under the lights on the newly renovated Swenson Field. The Rams hope to bounce back on Wednesday in a non-conference matchup at Keene State.