BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The visiting Framingham State University men's soccer team posted a 2-0 shutout victory over Bridgewater State University in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.
The Rams improve to 2-7 on the season and 2-0 in the MASCAC, while the Bears fall to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in conference play. Framingham is now 12-30-4 versus Bridgewater since 1980.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, sophomore midfielder Kunphel Sinha (Darjeeling, India) broke the ice just 73 seconds into the second half with his team-leading third goal of the season off a terrific feed from freshman forward Gabe Padilla (Framingham, Mass.). Stationed just outside the 18, Padilla split two defenders with a perfectly placed pass to a streaking Sinha who redirected the ball into the right side of the cage. Junior forward Ibrahim Kyeyune (Kampala, Uganda) picked up the secondary assist on marker.
BSU senior goalkeeper William Russell (Sandwich, Mass.) knocked one over the bar off a deflected cross to keep it a one-goal game midway through the final period. Moments later, Russell made a diving stop on a shot from 25 yards out labeled for the far post.
Sophomore forward Sherak Ayamga (Tuma, Ghana) extended the FSU lead to 2-0 in the 81st minute with his first goal of the 2021 campaign. Ayamga dribbled to the right side and lofted a shot over the keeper from 20 yards out that found its way inside the far post.
The Rams had a golden opportunity to make it a 3-0 game in the 85th minute as they were awarded a penalty kick, but Sinha's attempt rang off the crossbar.
Framingham finished with a 15-11 shot advantage for the game as well as a 7-3 edge in corner kicks attempts.
Sophomore goalkeeper James Hartshorn (Chelmsford, Mass.) turned aside three shots to record his first shutout of the season.
Russell, who was making his first appearance for the Bears this season, made five saves in the setback.
Both teams are back in action on Tuesday night at seven. The Bears travel to Roger Williams University to take on the Hawks, while the Rams head to Springfield College to face the Pride.