By Jim Fenton, The Enterprise (Brockton)

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- There will be no need to debate whether he is worthy of a spot in the Bridgewater State University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Conor Murtagh has the credentials of a first-ballot selection whenever his name is raised as a candidate.

The senior is a two-time Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the year in men’s soccer, ranking among the BSU career leaders in goals (second with 31) and points (third with 72).

He is also a three-time All-American performer in track & field, earning that recognition twice in the outdoor season and once during the indoor season.

“It’s kind of crazy if you think about it,’’ said Bears soccer coach Brendan Adams.

“To be the back-to-back player of the year and to be an All-American hurdler three times, I couldn’t even explain that. He’s done very well.’’

The Walpole High School graduate had helped BSU earn a spot in the NCAA Division 3 tournament with the Bears (17-3-1) playing at MIT on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the opening round.

Murtagh, who leads the MASCAC in goals, assists and points this season, became an All-American hurdler for the first time during the spring of 2014, finishing eighth at the nationals, and earned the same honor in the winter of 2015 with a fourth-place finish and in the spring of 2015 by winding up seventh.

“It’s unbelievable,’’ said Murtagh of his achievements. “I never thought it’d be this amazing. Everything came together perfectly. The coaches were great. They push me just the right amount. The school was a perfect fit for me.’’

Murtagh’s soccer career got off to a shaky start when he appeared in just four games as a freshman and then suffered a severe ankle sprain on the first day of practice in his sophomore year.

That left Adams wondering if Murtagh was going to be a fit for his team.

“The funny thing about Conor is he didn’t have a very good freshman year,’’ said Adams. “He came in and would get down on himself. Sophomore year, the first practice, he gets hurt.

“We had to make a decision. Do we keep this kid around who really didn’t play very well his freshman year. Is he ready for college soccer? But how many kids are 6-foot-3 and good in the air?

“I guess it was a good decision to keep him around.’’

Murtagh, who had four goals in 15 games as a sophomore, developed into the top MASCAC player last season and got even better this fall, scoring eight game-winning goals, tying him for the most in the nation in Division 3.

“I didn’t want to give up because I knew I had something in me,’’ said Murtagh, thinking back to his first two seasons. “Something was going to spark. It was just a matter of time.

“Freshman year, I think it was just an adjustment period. Sophomore year, I was unlucky. I just got hurt at the wrong time and didn’t get to show what I had. Going into junior year, I worked as hard as I could to get any playing time at all. I got lucky. He gave me one chance and I took it and never looked back.’’

Murtagh chose BSU because it offered him the opportunity to participate in two sports.

“I didn’t want to give up one or the other,’’ said Murtagh. “I couldn’t pick between them. You have to manage your time if you do both because obviously you’ve got to do good in school to be able to play.

“You need the desire. I just want to do two sports. I just can’t see myself not doing two sports. I have to do something, stay active. Track helps with soccer, and soccer helps with track keeping you in shape.’’

The men’s soccer season will be coming to an end in the near future, and Murtagh will switch over to the track & field team, which opens on Dec. 5 at the UMass-Boston Invitational.

“Basically whenever soccer ends, I’m back into (hurdling),’’ he said. “I get a week off basically and I’m back at it.’’