Men's Soccer Posts 2-1 Win over RIC

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team posted their second straight win as the Bears downed the Anchormen of Rhode Island College, 2-1, on Tuesday night at windy Swenson Field.

Bridgewater improves to 2-4 on the season with the victory, while RIC falls to 1-4-1. The win is the Bears first over the Anchormen since 2004. 

The Bears opened up a 1-0 lead with the wind at their backs in the first half off a terrific play from senior defender Simao Mendes (Brockton, Mass.).  Mendes made a long run down the left sideline in the 40th minute and slid a pass across the goal mouth to a streaking David Wilson (Jr., Charlton, Mass.) who one-timed a shot into the back of the net. For Wilson it was his first goal of the season.

Earlier in the period, the Bears had nearly got on the board as sophomore midfielder Steve McAvoy's (Walpole, Mass.) shot hit the post in the 30th minute.  The play came seconds after an apparent hand ball in the box was not called.

Bridgewater held a 15-2 shot advantage in the first half, but led just 1-0 at the intermission.

Despite going against the wind in the second half, the Bears still held the edge in play.  Senior forward Adam Smith (Kingston, Mass.) gave BSU a 2-0 lead in the 82nd minute as he slipped a shot past the RIC keeper from about 12 yards out.  Senior midfielder Jon Sampson (Plympton, Mass.) set up the goal as he broke up an outlet pass with a slide tackle and pushed the ball to a wide-open Smith.

RIC would dent the scoreboard less than two minutes later as sophomore forward Emmanuel Asiedu (Lincoln, R.I.) curled a corner kick that trickled over the goal line.

Both teams were stopped on breakaways in the second half.  Asiedu rang the cross bar on a semi-breakaway in the 74th minute, while Wilson was stopped by RIC sophomore netminder Christopher Duarte (Cumberland, R.I.) in the 65th minute.

The Bears outshot the Anchormen 12-6 over the final 45 minutes and 27-8 for the game.

BSU junior goaltender Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) made two saves to record his second win of the season.  Duarte turned aside six shots in the losing effort for the Anchormen.

With his first half assist, Mendes moved past Scott Floeck into sole possession of eighth place on the Bears' all-time scoring list as he now has 54 points (20G, 14A).

In upcoming action, Bridgewater hosts MASCAC foe Worcester State University on Saturday night at seven.  RIC travels to UMass Boston on Saturday afternoon for a Little East Conference match with the Beacons at one.