Men’s Soccer Upended by Bridgewater State in MASCAC Opener

Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 double overtime setback to visiting Bridgewater State University in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener for both squads on Saturday afternoon at Maple Street Field.

Freshman Jonathan Pires (Medford, Mass.) headed a cross, from sophomore Justin Kachadoorian (Leicester, Mass.), past a diving goalkeeper to snap a scoreless stalemate with 5:15 remaining in the second overtime to lift the Bears to the 1-0 triumph.

Following the match, Framingham State junior Nicholas Cotter (Sandwich, Mass.) was selected as the 2013 Peter J. Heffernan, Jr. '95 Award recipient for his efforts on the pitch. The plaque is presented annually in recognition of outstanding performance by a member of the men's soccer team on homecoming.

The Rams, led by two shots on goal by Cotter, took aim at the back of the net four times – three on free kicks – in the opening half. Bear sophomore Nicholas Keddie (Abington, Mass.) fired off the only shot on goal for the visitors. Earlier in the stanza, sophomore Sawyer Fleck (Foxboro, Mass.) attempted to deposit a header on the second touch after a corner kick in the 14th minute, but the ball went above the crossbar. Each team took six shots and Bridgewater State claimed both corner kicks in the frame.

The hosts had a great opportunity with an open net in the 61st minute; however, freshman Akram Ndamba's (Framingham, Mass.) shot from the right side did not have quite enough english as it rolled past the mouth of the goal. Five minutes later, Keddie's attempt to sneak a throw in past Framingham State junior backstop Kiko Anzoategui (Peabody, Mass) was denied.

Both goalkeepers shined in the final 15 minutes of regulation to keep the match scoreless. At 85:32, Anzoategui made a diving stop of a free kick taken by senior Craig Shadduck (Braintree, Mass.). Senior Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) collected a pair of saves, with under 1:10 left in the second half, as he followed up a diving save with a stop on the rebound shot by junior Bryan DaSilva (Milford, Mass.) and senior Henrique DaSilva (Framingham, Mass.), respectively. Bridgewater State held a slim 8-6 lead in shots and took two of the three corner kicks in the second half. In the extra sessions, each team took aim twice while Bagley picked up the lone save.

Bagley (3-3) turned away a game-best eight shots while Anzoategui posted a trio of saves. Overall, the Bears outshot the Rams 16-14 and took five of the six corner kicks.

Framingham State (0-7, 0-1 MASCAC) travels to Rhode Island College on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. non-conference tilt while Bridgewater State (3-3, 1-0 MASCAC) makes the trip to Gordon for a 7 p.m. non-league contest on Wednesday.