BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State College men's soccer team posted a key 2-1 MASCAC win over Salem State College this afternoon at Swenson Field in Bridgewater.
With the win, the Bears remain unbeaten in conference play with a 5-0 MASCAC mark. Bridgewater is 8-4-1 overall on the season. Salem drops to 7-5 and 3-2 in the MASCAC.
It wasn't until the second half when the game had its first goal as Bridgewater State freshman forward Simao Mendes (Brockton, MA) converted a penalty kick attempt in the 62nd minute. Salem keeper Luis Marques (Fall River, MA) was flagged for the foul that led to the PK attempt as he tackled Mendes in the box. For Mendes, it was his seventh goal of the season as he is a perfect 3-for-3 in penalty kick tries.
Just two and a half minutes later, senior forward Luke Brewer (Edgartown, MA) gave BSC a 2-0 lead as he blasted in a shot from about 30 yards out. Mendes and senior midfielder Matt Daniels (South Easton, MA) assisted on the goal which was Brewer's team-leading eighth of the season and third game-winner.
The Vikings cut the deficit to 2-1 as Andrew Angus (Boston, MA) headed in a Juan Panameno (Revere, MA) free kick in the 76th minute. The goal was the seventh of the season for Viking's senior forward.
The Bears outshot the Vikings 20-7 and also had a 4-1 edge in corner kicks.
Senior goalie Ryan Seifert (Ludlow, MA) turned aside four shots to notch his eighth win of the season. Marques had four saves of his own in the losing effort for the Vikings.
The Bears will head to Framingham next Saturday to play a twelve o'clock game against MASCAC rival Framingham State. Framingham is second in the conference standings with a 4-1 record. Salem State will have a conference matchup of their own when they host Westfield State next Saturday at 3 PM.