Providence, R.I. -- Bridgewater State freshman forward Filipe Gomes (Boston, Mass.) netted a hat trick, including the game-winner off a free kick in the 87th minute, to lead the Bears to a 3-2 victory over Rhode Island College at the RIC Soccer Field on Wednesday night.

The win for the Bears (4-1) was just their second in the last 10 meetings against the Anchormen (2-3). BSU is 2-7-1 vs. RIC over the past decade.

Bridgewater State struck in the 17th minute after senior midfielder Sawyer Fleck (Foxboro, Mass.) sent senior forward Conor Murtagh (Walpole, Mass.) down the left side where he settled the ball, cut across the end line and sent a low cross to Gomes who redirected it into the open net.

The Anchormen responded just seven minutes later, in the 24th minute, when freshman midfielder Dennis Vazquez (Providence, R.I.) tapped a pass to junior midfielder Evan Rosa (Rehoboth, Mass.) down the right side. Rosa beat a defender and whipped a cross to senior forward Jose Zarraga (Providence, R.I.) who nodded it in to knot the score at 1-1.

Each team registered set piece opportunities, but the goalkeepers stood strong, keeping the score at 1-1 going in to the half. Sophomore goalie Chris Moura (Rumford, R.I.) made three saves for the Anchormen, while BSU junior keeper Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) recorded six for the Bears, over the opening 45 minutes.

The second half remained scoreless until the 71st minute when Gomes corralled a loose ball on the goal line and chipped a magnificent shot into the far corner and off the post to give the Bears the 2-1 advantage. The Anchormen increased the pressure down the stretch, which included a shot from the top of the box by sophomore forward Komla Dogbey (Providence, R.I.) that edged just over the crossbar, but came up empty.

Following a flurry of activity, Rhode Island College sophomore midfielder Ty Catunto (New Bedford, Mass.) tossed a long throw into the box, which found the foot of freshman midfielder Steven Duncan (Barrington, R.I.) who settled the ball and whistled a low shot into the net to tie the game at 2-2 in the 82nd minute. It was Duncan's first collegiate goal.

However, a late foul just outside the RIC 18-yard box set the scene for Gomes' heroics as he calmly blasted the free kick into the upper corner of the net to secure the BSU victory.

Moura (2-2) finished with three saves for the Anchormen. Jepson (4-1) stopped seven in the victory. RIC held a 21-14 advantage in shots and a 9-5 edge in corner kicks.

Both teams open conference play on Saturday afternoon at one. The Bears travel to Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Rhode Island College, while the Anchormen host Little East Conference foe UMass Boston.

Notes: Gomes' three-goal effort marked the first hat trick by a BSU freshman since Simao Mendes turned the trick in a 4-3 win over Endicott College in 2009.