Bridgewater State Men's Soccer Team Picked to Win MASCAC

By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The 2009 season came to a sudden end for the Bridgewater State University men’s soccer team.

After becoming the first team in program history to go undefeated in the Massachusetts State Collegiate State Conference regular season at 6-0-1, the Bears were quickly bounced from the tournament by Salem State College.

With six starters and five others who were on the squad a year ago back this season, BSU has a motivation tool at its disposal.

“There was a lot of bitterness when we got knocked out in the first game,’’ said Coach Brendan Adams, now in his ninth season. “A lot of guys are hungry to get that opportunity to be fighting for an NCAA bid again this year.’’

The Bears are the preseason pick to repeat as regular-season champions in the MASCAC, receiving five first-place votes in the coaches poll.

BSU opened the season on a positive note on Monday, handing Endicott College a 5-1 loss. The Bears host Mitchell College today at 4 p.m. and begin the MASCAC schedule on Sept. 18 at Westfield State.

Adams said his team is deeper this season, thanks in part to a talented freshman class.

“We can definitely go to different guys with different looks,’’ said Adams, whose Bears were 9-5-3 in 2009. “It’s fun to have that kind of depth. There are going to be some tough practices. Our standing lineup can change from game to game.’’

The strength of BSU figures to be in the back where seniors Mike White, Pat Kenneally and Mark Vercollone of Pembroke, a Sacred Heart High graduate, all return.

“They bring us some good experience,’’ said Adams. “We have great athleticism back there.’’

The starting midfielders include juniors Donald Flores and Danny Roberts (a first-team all-conference pick) plus sophomore Tucker Fairbanks of Plympton, a Silver Lake Regional graduate. Freshmen Bryce Parrish and Josh Jackson add depth to that position.

Junior forward Jose DePina opened the season by scoring a hat trick against Endicott after netting just one goal a year ago.

“He was hurt most of his freshman year and played behind our leading scorer, Luke Brewer, last year,’’ said Adams. “He was always fighting good players for minutes.’’

Simao Mendes of Brockton, who was second on the team with eight goals and seven assists for 23 points as a freshman, will be an offensive leader. Mendes was the MASCAC rookie of the year and made the all-conference first team.

“He brings a very good attitude and a great work ethic,’’ said Adams. “He’s a confident kid and he’s a lot more focused now that he’s had a year here. He’s a little bit more comfortable.’’

Other forwards include Mount Ida College transfer Matt Palatino and Craig Shadduck, a freshman.

The Bears lost all-conference goalkeeper Ryan Seifert, the MASCAC player of the year in 2008, to graduation and have two candidates looking to emerge as the starter.

Sophomore Patrick Bowlby of Stoughton recorded the win over Endicott and D.J. Siewierski will start against Mitchell.

“It’s up in the air right now,’’ said Adams. “We’ll go back and forth and whoever steps up will get the chance to play.’’