BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Roger Williams University men's soccer team edged Bridgewater State University, 1-0, on Tuesday afternoon at sun-drenched Swenson Field.

The Hawks, who are ranked fourth in the latest United Soccer Coaches Division III Region II Poll, improve to 7-1-2 on the season, while the Bears fall to 1-6-1. RWU is 12-11-4 versus the Bears since 1980.

After a scoreless first half, senior midfielder Javi Beltran (Madrid, Spain) potted the game's only goal in the 59th minute. Junior midfielder Christian Aja (Monroe, Conn.) and junior defender Niall Shea (Portsmouth, R.I.) assisted on the game-winner. Aja sent a long volley to the top of the 18. Shea won the ball in the air and headed it over to Beltran on the left side. Beltran flicked a shot inside the right post for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.

BSU senior goalkeeper William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) made back-to-back outstanding saves in the 66th minute to keep it a one-goal game. Russell turned aside nine shots in the setback.

The Bears' best scoring opportunity came in the 85th minute as a Hawks' defender cleared a ball off the line following a corner kick by BSU sophomore midfielder Nicolas Matias (Milford, Mass.).

Matias, senior forward Robson Montrond (Brockton, Mass.), freshman forward Colin Evans (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and freshman midfielder Filippo Mucci (Vineyard Haven, Mass.) paced the BSU offense with three shots apiece.

Bridgewater finished with an 18-15 shot advantage for the game, while Roger Williams held an 8-3 edge in corner kick attempts. All three BSU corners came in the second half.

RWU sophomore netminder Hogan Cain (Nottingham, N.H.) made six saves to pick up his fourth win of the season and third shutout.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday at noon. The Bears host Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe Fitchburg State University, while the Hawks travel to Suffolk University for a Commonwealth Coast Conference tilt with the Rams.