Men's Soccer Rallies for 2-1 MASCAC Win Over Salem State

SALEM, Mass. – The visiting Bridgewater State University men's soccer team rallied from an early deficit to post a 2-1 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Salem State University on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The Bears improve to 6-1-4 on the season and 3-0-1 in the MASCAC with their third straight win, while the Vikings fall to 7-3-2 overall and 3-1 in conference play. Both teams were ranked in the most recent United Soccer Coaches (USC) Division III Region Two Poll.

Salem got on the board in the 14th minute as sophomore forward Gabriel DaSilva (Woburn, Mass.) converted off the rebound of an Aaron O'Toole (Sr., Quincy, Mass.) shot. The goal marked DaSilva's first of the season.

The Bears responded late in the first half as freshman defender Hector Bucio (North Easton, Mass.) scored his first collegiate goal with 3:09 remaining in the stanza. Off restart, freshman midfielder Tyler Chang (Acushnet, Mass.) corralled a loose ball inside the 18 and fired a left-footed shot that was turned aside by the lunging Salem goalkeeper. The ball popped up in the air and Bucio headed home the rebound to even the match at 1-1.

Sophomore forward Filippo Mucci (Vineyard Haven, Mass.) potted his third goal of the season and second game-winner in the 61st minute. Senior forward David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.) set up the scoring strike as he slipped a pass to Mucci who got behind a defender with a nice first touch and beat the keeper one-on-one.

Salem finished with an 18-11 shot advantage for the game as well as a 5-4 edge in corner kick attempts. The two teams where whistled for 35 fouls with six yellow cards (three apiece) handed out.

BSU graduate goalkeeper William Russell (sandwich, Mass.) made 11 saves to pick up his sixth win of the season and 19th of his career. Senior goalkeeper Matt Hauntsman (Milford, N.H.) turned aside five shots in the setback for the Vikings.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday night at seven. The Bears travel to Emmanuel College while the Vikings entertain Clark University.

Notes: With his assist, Nelson increased his career scoring total to 59 points (23 G, 13 A) as he took sole possession of eighth place on the Bears' all-time scoring list …Salem holds a 33-14-6 advantage in the all-time series.