BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - Sophomore forward Josh Solomon (Acton, MA) netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner, to lead the Wheaton College men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over host Bridgewater State College this afternoon in Bridgewater.
Wheaton, ranked sixth in New England, remains undefeated on the season at 2-0-1. The ninth ranked Bears drop to 2-1 as they suffered their first loss of the season.
Solomon staked Wheaton to 1-0 lead at the 12:35 mark as he finished off a terrific feed from fellow sophomore Yuri Moreira (Marlboro, MA). Sophomore defender David Ferriero (Medway, MA), who had started the play, also picked up an assist on the goal.
Bridgewater State had a chance to knot the game with 10 minutes remaining in the half, only to see a direct kick attempt from sophomore forward Donald Flores (Cranston, RI) clang off the crossbar.
The Lyons kept the Bears off the scoreboard until the 81st minute when junior midfielder Matt Daniels (South Easton, MA) headed in a Flores' corner kick to tie the game at 1-1.
Wheaton quickly responded, however, as Solomon deflected in a long throw-in from sophomore midfielder Jake Wagner (Sudbury, MA) to put the Lyons back on top. The goal came just 2:39 after Bridgewater tied the match,
The game was marked by physical play as Bridgewater was whistled for 29 fouls and three yellow cards, while Wheaton was tagged with 22 fouls. Wheaton held a 13-10 edge in shots, while Bridgewater had a slight advantage in corner kicks, 4-3.
Sophomore netminder Cole Davidson (Needham, MA) turned aside three shots for the Lyons, while senior keeper Ryan Seifert (Ludlow, MA) registered five saves for the Bears.
Wheaton has now won 15 straight matches against the Bears since the 1992 season when the two teams first met.
Bridgewater travels to Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday for a one o'clock match with the Warriors. Wheaton heads to Roger Williams University on Saturday at 4 PM to take on the Hawks.