SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State's Eryk Fernandez (Nipomo, CA) scored twice and the Vikings' defense stymied visiting Bridgewater State on defense to earn a 2-0 victory over the Bears in MASCAC men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon.

Salem State improved to 5-5-1 on the year with the win, and remained unbeaten in MASCAC play with a 3-0 record. Bridgewater State slipped to 3-5-1, and 1-1-1- in conference.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half with neither team garnering a serious offensive threat as the Vikings held a 4-2 edge in shots in the half.

Early in the second, Salem State's Carlos Escobar (Malden, MA) took a direct kick from right outside the box that went off the crossbar and was redirected in by Fernandez for the game's first score at the 49:09 mark.  Fernandez later followed with his MASCAC-leading eighth goal of the year at 79:09 on an assist from Samir Zepaj (Peabody, MA) that gave the Vikings breathing room.

Salem State's Scott Hall (Waltham, MA) stopped three shots to earn the win, while the Bears' Matt Bagley (Braintree, MA) also registered three saved.

Salem State will play again Wednesday at 7:00 PM on their home field against Keene State.  Bridgewater State's next opponent will be UMass-Boston at home on Wednesday at 7:00 PM.