PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Junior forward Josh Sousa (Cumberland, RI) netted a hat trick as the Rhode Island College men's soccer team defeated Bridgewater State, 7-2, on Tuesday evening at the RIC Soccer Field.
The Anchormen (2-4-1), who only mustered four goals in their first five games, have now scored 11 times in the past two contests. The Bears (3-4) fall for the third time in their last four games.
RIC got on the board just 5:49 into the first frame as junior midfielder David De Melo (Fall River, MA) held off a defender and crossed a pass along the goal line to Sousa who chipped it into the net for his first tally as an Anchorman.
In the 42nd minute, sophomore forward Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, RI) redirected a junior midfielder Nick Medeiros (Bristol, RI) corner kick from seven yards out for his second goal of the season.
Senior striker Dan Rodrigues (Cumberland, RI) headed in a junior midfielder Mike Diogo (Bristol, RI) free kick for his first goal of the year with just 10 seconds left in the half to cap the first stanza. RIC held an 11-4 advantage in shots over the first 45 minutes.
Bridgewater State mounted a comeback effort in the 54th minute as the RIC defense gave Bears' senior forward Luke Brewer (Edgartown, MA) some room to shoot from 25 yards out and he lofted a shot past RIC freshman goalkeeper Andrew Hogan (North Providence, RI) for his third marker on the season.
The comeback bid was shortlived, however, as Sousa put the game out of reach with two goals 54 seconds apart in the 58th minute to give the hosts a 5-1 lead. The transfer from Div. I URI was first set up by a De Melo touch on a free kick and then capitalized on a BSC turnover to complete the hat trick.
Costa battled his way through three Bridgewater defenders and beat senior netminder Ryan Seifert (Ludlow, MA) for his second tally and third goal of the season in the 68th minute.
BSC senior forward Eusebio Cumplido (Pawtucket, RI) had three chances late in the game and finally converted in the 73rd minute to make the score 6-2.
RIC sophomore forward Troy Silvia (Bristol, RI) headed in a perfect pass from Medeiros and freshman forward Mark Butler (Warwick, RI) to cap the game's scoring with his first goal of the year.
Hogan earned the win (2-4-1) without having to make a save, while Seifert (3-4) made three stops in a losing effort. Sophomore D.J. Siewierski (Stow, MA) played the final 23 minutes, allowing one goal and making three saves
Nine different Anchormen recorded at least a point as the hosts held a 20-9 advantage in shots.