BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior forward Justin Borges (Milford, Mass.) recorded his first career hat trick to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 5-1 victory over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Friday afternoon at Swenson Field.
The Bears improve to 2-8-1 on the season and 2-1 in the MASCAC, while the visiting Buccaneers fall to 2-8-2 overall and 0-3 in conference play. Bridgewater State is now 31-7-4 versus Mass. Maritime since 1980 and 6-0-1 in the last seven meetings.
Borges opened the scoring in the 13th minute as he headed home a cross from junior midfielder Shane Ebanks (Upton, Mass.). Freshman midfielder Joseph Madden Jr. (Milford, Mass.) picked up the secondary assist on the strike.
Freshman forward David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.) potted his second goal of the season in the 19th minute as he one-timed a crossing pass from junior forward Kevin Roberts (Medway, Mass.). Roberts dribbled down the left sideline from midfield and sent a cross into the box. Nelson's one-timer from eight yards out found the center of the net to give the Bears a 2-0 lead.
Mass. Maritime senior midfielder Andrew Wayrynen (Rockport, Mass.) cut the deficit in half with his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Wayrynen buried a shot inside the left post through a screen from 25 yards out.
Borges scored off the rebound of his own shot in the 27th minute for his second marker of the afternoon. Borges had two shots blocked in the sequence before tucking a shot inside the left post to make it a 3-1 game.
Wayrynen nearly pulled the Bucs to within a goal as he rang the crossbar on a breakaway bid in the 30th minute.
Bridgewater would take the 3-1 lead into the break.
Ebanks tallied his first collegiate goal to stake the Bears to a 4-1 lead 6:26 into the second half with Madden Jr. recording his second assist of the afternoon. Ebanks' shot from outside the box on the right side caromed off the goalie and inside the near post.
Borges completed the hat trick in the 56th minute as he blasted home a shot from 24 yards out off a short pass from freshman midfielder Will Halben (Attleboro, Mass.).
The Bears finished with a 25-12 shot advantage for the game.
BSU senior goalkeeper Nate Morgado (Dartmouth, Mass.) made three saves to record his second win of the season and 23rd of his career.
Sophomores Mitch Hardy (Pepperell, Mass.) and John Murphy (Braintree, Mass.) combined to make seven saves between the pipes for Mass. Maritime.
In upcoming action, the Bears entertain the Engineers of MIT on Wednesday afternoon at 3:30. The Buccaneers are off until next Saturday when they travel to Fitchburg State University for a five o'clock MASCAC game with the Falcons.