Russell Leads Men's Soccer to 1-0 Shutout Win Over Salve Regina

NEWPORT, R.I. – Graduate goalkeeper William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) made a career-high 13 saves to lead the visiting Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 1-0 shutout victory over Salve Regina University on Wednesday night at Toppa Field.

The Bears improve to 5-1-4 on the season with the win as they extended their unbeaten streak to eight games. The Seahawks fall to 5-6 with their second straight setback. Bridgewater holds a 10-5-1 lead in the series dating back to 1980.

BSU freshman midfielder Nicholas Ribeiro (Bellingham, Mass.) stunned the Seahawks late in the first half scoring on the Bears' only shot of the stanza. Off a short cross from junior forward Dominek Borden (New Bedford, Mass.), Ribeiro floated a left-footed shot from 25 yards out just over the leaping Salve netminder and under the crossbar to give the Bears a 1-0 lead with 3:05 showing on the scoreboard.

The goal marked Ribeiro's second of the season while Borden collected his second assist.

Bridgewater would take the 1-0 advantage into the break despite being outshot 9-1 in the first half.

The Bears had a golden opportunity to make it a two-goal advantage in the 76th minute but a penalty kick attempt by senior defender Dan Santos (Milford, Mass.) was stopped by Salve senior netminder Zach Rock (Middleton, Mass.). Back-to-back corner kicks following the PK led to a quality BSU scoring opportunity, but Santos' header was turned aside by Rock.

Two minutes later, a header attempt by senior defender Nathan Costantino (North Andover, Mass.) off a well-placed cross sailed well wide of the far post.

Russell (5-1-4), who stopped nine shots in the second half, made a nice save on a direct kick by sophomore midfielder Ben Thomas (Danbury, Conn.) from 25 yards out in the 85th minute to preserve his second shutout of the season and ninth of his career.

Salve finished with a 24-6 shot advantage for the game as well as a 7-5 edge in corner kick attempts.

Rock (1-5) turned aside four shots in the setback for the Seahawks.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon. The Bears travel to Salem State University for a two o'clock Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) game with the Vikings while the Seahawks entertain New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) foe Babson College at five.