GORHAM, Mass. -- Junior forward Conor Murtagh (Walpole, Mass.) recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Bridgewater State men's soccer team to a season-opening 4-0 shutout victory over host Southern Maine at the USM Invitational on Friday afternoon.
Murtagh, who also rang the post in the opening stages of the contest, staked the Bears (1-0) to a 1-0 lead in the 17th minute as he dribbled down the left side and beat the Huskies netminder with a shot inside the far post. Bridgewater would take a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Senior forward David Wilson (Charlton, Mass.) set up Murtagh's second marker on a breakaway in the 62nd minute as he slipped a through ball between two defenders. Less than two minutes later, it was Murtagh completing the hat trick, once again on a breakaway, with junior midfielder Charlie Lawson (Plympton, Mass.) providing the assist on a long clearance.
Junior forward Andrew Chenard (Kingston, Mass.) capped of the scoring in the 78th minute with a header goal off a cross from freshman forward Justin Asam (Milford, Mass.). For Chenard, it was his first goal in a BSU uniform.
Sophomore netminder Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) was forced to make just one save in his BSU debut. Jepson faced just two shots (one off target) to record his first collegiate shutout as the Bears used a strong team defensive effort. Shots were 14-2 in favor of the visitors. Bridgewater also held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks.
Sophomore goaltender Elijah Leverett (North Yarmouth, Maine) recorded five saves in the setback for the Huskies (0-1).
The USM Invitational concludes on Saturday afternoon with Bridgewater taking on Coast Guard Academy at one and Southern Maine facing off against Salve Regina University at 3:30.
Notes: Prior to Murtagh's hat trick, the Bears' last three-goal performance occured on September 6, 2010 as Jose DePina turned the trick in a 5-1 season-opening win at home against Endicott College....Both Lawson and Asam recorded their first collegiate points..…the 4-0 win marked the Bears' largest margin of victory since a 5-0 shutout of Worcester State back on October 2, 2010.