BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team blanked Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Worcester State University, 1-0, on Friday night at Mazzaferro Field in a rematch of last season's MASCAC championship game. The game also marked the 2023 conference opener for both teams.

The Bears improve to 2-1-2 (1-0-0 MASCAC) on the season while the Lancers fall to 0-2-2 (0-1-0). Bridgewater State is 28-20-4 versus the Lancers since 1980.

Freshman defender Ethan Mallett (Ellington, Conn.) scored the game's only goal in the 35th minute. Mallett converted off a corner kick sent into the six by freshman midfielder Nicholas Ribeiro (Bellingham, Mass.) for his first collegiate. Ribeiro picked up his first collegiate assist on the opening strike.

BSU graduate goalkeeper William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) made eight saves, including the 200th of his career, to pick up his first shutout of the season and eighth of his career.

Senior netminder Andy Ramirez (Park Ridge, Mass.) turned aside four shots in the setback for Worcester State.

Bridgewater State held a 14-10 shot advantage for the game as well as a 7-1 edge in corner kick attempts.

The Bears travel to UMass Boston on Monday afternoon for a one o'clock game with the Beacons. The Lancers head to UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday night to take on the Corsairs at seven.