Men's Soccer Plays to 1-1 Draw in Season Opener

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw with Johnson & Wales University on Friday evening in the 2023 season opener for both teams at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex in Providence.

Graduate midfielder Aidan Bagley (Cumberland, R.I.) staked the host Wildcats to a 1-0 lead as he converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute. Sophomore forward Carlson Andrade (Cranston, R.I.) drew the foul during a corner kick that led to the PK attempt. 

BSU freshman forward Thomas Terry (South Yarmouth, Mass.) knotted the score at 1-1 in the 31st minute with his first collegiate goal. Junior midfielder Carsten Boloz (Southborough, Mass.) assisted on the game-tying strike. In transition off an outlet pass from Boloz, Terry tucked a shot under the cross and over the outstretched hand of the JWU goalkeeper from 30 yards out.  

The Bears had a chance to take the lead with less than five minutes remaining in the first half but could not capitalize on a misplayed ball by a defender with the goaltender out of position. A shot from 25 yards out on the right side off the pitch slipped wide of the far post.  

Graduate netminder William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) turned aside three shots between the pipes for the Bears. Graduate keeper Jacob Friedman (Woodland Hills, Calif) made five saves for the Wildcats. Friedman made three of his five saves in a scoreless second half while Russell stopped two shots over the final 45 minutes.

A late yellow card let to a scoring opportunity for Johnson & Wales in the waning minutes of the second half. Junior defender Nolan Sooy's (Cleveland, Ohio) header off a restart however went high and wide of the cage.

Bridgewater held a 10-8 shot advantage for the game, while corner kicks were 4-2 in favor of JWU.

In upcoming action, the Wildcats travel to Salve Regina University on Sunday afternoon for a four o'clock game with the Seahawks. The Bears are off until next Wednesday afternoon when they head to West Hartford, Connecticut to take on the University of Saint Joseph at 3:30.

Notes: The two teams have met ten times with JWU holding a slight 5-4-1 advantage in the all-time series.