FITCHBURG, Mass. – Bridgewater State and Fitchburg State played to a 0-0 double overtime draw in MASCAC men's soccer action on Saturday morning at Elliot Field.
With the tie, both teams remain unbeaten in conference play, with Fitchburg State moving to 5-4-4 overall (1-0-3 MASCAC) and Bridgewater State moving to 5-5-2 (2-0-2 MASCAC).
The Falcons came out strong in the first half, registering five shots in the first 20 minutes of play, forcing Bears' senior goalkeeper Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) to come up with four saves. From there, the Bears would take control of the match by rattling off a streak of 11 consecutive shots over the final 25 minutes of the frame. Five of the 11 shots were on frame including one that was cleared off the line by Falcon sophomore defender Charlie Lawson (Plympton, Mass.).
Fitchburg held a 7-5 shot advantage in the second half, but it was the Bears who would come up with the best scoring chance of the stanza in the 68th minute as junior Steve McAvoy (Walpole, Mass.) directed a header towards the goal at point blank range that was turned away by junior goaltender Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, Mass.).
The Falcons would get their best chance in the 75th minute as a rebound given up by Bagley off a shot from freshman Steven Martinez (Middlesex, N.J.) led to a loose ball in the box. The Bears, however, were able to knock it out of danger before the Falcons could cash in.
In overtime, Bridgewater State continued to push for the winning goal, outshooting the Falcons four to one in the extra session; but three final saves from Hanratty kept the match scoreless at the final whistle.
Throughout the contest, Bridgewater State outshot Fitchburg State 30-17 while earning ten corner kicks to the Falcons four.
Hanratty extended his shutout streak to 885 minutes with a 12 save performance. Bagley also finished with 12 saves to record his fourth shutout of the season and eighth of his career.
Hanratty's shutout streak currently stands as the tenth longest streak in Division III history. Also, with the Falcons earning their fourth scoreless draw of the season, they matched the Division III record for most 0-0 ties in a season (set by Ohio Wesleyan in 2006).
Fitchburg State will return to action on Wednesday as they host Daniel Webster at 7 pm. Bridgewater State will visit Wheaton on Wednesday at 3:30 pm.