BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Junior forward David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.) scored a career-high four goals to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 4-2 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Westfield State University on Saturday afternoon at sun-drenched Swenson Field.

The Bears improve to 3-7-2 on the season with the win and 2-2-1 in the MASCAC, while the Owls fall to 2-8-4 overall and 1-3-1 in conference play. Bridgewater State is 25-15-4 versus the Owls since 1980.

Nelson's four-goal performance marked the highest single-game total for the Bears since Dan Riley also potted four goals in a 7-1 win at Eastern Connecticut State University on October 1st of 1994.

Nelson got the Bears on the board in the 20th minute as he ripped a shot inside the left post from 22 yards out off a short feed from sophomore forward Ethan Lafontant (Chelmsford, Mass.). Senior forward Robson Montrond (Brockton, Mass.) picked up the secondary assist on the goal.

Just over two minutes later, Nelson collected a long pass from sophomore midfielder Carsten Boloz (Southborough, Mass.), cut towards the middle and fired a shot inside the left post from 16 yards out. Sophomore defender Justin Silva (North Attleboro, Mass.) also assisted on the strike.

Senior forward Jojo Evborokhai (Chicopee, Mass.) scored off a corner kick in the 32nd minute to cut the deficit to 2-1 with junior midfielder Edwin Zaruma Buri (Northampton, Mass.) and sophomore defender Josh Wietecha (Chicopee, Mass.) assisting on the marker.

Nelson's header goal off the rebound of a Boloz shot completed the hat trick and reclaimed the two-goal advantage for the Bears in the 50th minute.

Less than four minutes later, the Owls closed the gap to 3-2 as freshman midfielder Carter Hebert (Easthampton, Mass.) buried a one-timer into the top-left corner of the cage off a crossing pass from junior defender Jhonatan Brandt (Sao Paulo, Brazil). Junior defender Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) also assisted on the goal.

Nelson capped off the scoring in the 62nd minute with his fourth goal of the game and fifth of the season. A crossing pass from Boloz split two defenders and Nelson drove a shot from 15 yards out inside the left post.  Junior midfielder Joseph Kingara (New Bedford, Mass.) collected the secondary assist.

Bridgewater State finished with a 17-14 shot advantage for the game, while corner kick attempts were even at two apiece.

Boloz finished with a career-high three assists on the afternoon.

BSU senior goalkeeper William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) turned aside three shots to record his third win of the season. Junior netminders Emilio Mancuso (Ludlow, Mass.) and Drew Adams (North Attleboro, Mass.) combined to make nine saves between the pipes for the Owls.

The Bears host UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday night (Senior Night) at seven o'clock. The Owls entertain Keene State College on Wednesday night at seven.