Kenneally's Two Goals Powers Men's Soccer Past UMass, 3-2

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Senior defender Pat Kenneally (Braintree, Mass.) tallied a pair of goals including the game-winner in the 70th minute to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday night at rainy Swenson Field.

Bridgewater improves to 11-4 with the win, while UMass falls to 9-5-2.

Kenneally opened the scoring in the 30th minute as he drilled a shot into the top-right corner of the goal from 35 yards out.

UMass tied the score less than a minute later as sophomore Nader Khalil (Kuwait City, Kuwait) notched his first of two goals on the evening off a cross from senior midfielder Thomas Uibel (Pforzheim, Germany).  Khalil was wide-open and unmarked in front of the Bridgewater goal and easily slid a shot inside the far post.

Khalil gave the Corsairs a 2-1 advantage in the 40th minute as his shot from 25 yards away beat the Bridgewater keeper to the bottom left corner of the net.

The Bears notched the equalizing goal in the 61st minute with a little help from the UMass defense.  Off a restart, junior midfielder Donald Flores (Cranston, R.I.) slid a pass around the wall to junior forward Jose DePina (Boston, Mass.) who dribbled in from the right side and ripped a shot on frame. A UMass defender attempted to clear the ball away but kicked it in for an own goal.

Kenneally broke the 2-2 tie with his second marker of the night and third of the season just under ten minutes later.  Off a restart, Flores sent a free kick into the middle of the box and Kenneally headed ball past the UMass keeper.

Bridgewater held 24-11 advantage in shots as well as a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.  Junior DJ Siewierski (Stow, Mass.) made five saves in goal for the Bears, while sophomore Mike Phelan (Carver, Mass.) turned aside four shots for the Corsairs.

Bridgewater wraps up regular season play on Saturday afternoon at one when the Bears travel to MCLA for a key MASCAC game with the Trailblazers.  UMass hosts Little East Conference foe Western Connecticut State University on Saturday also at one.