BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Junior defender Craig Shadduck (Braintree, Mass) tallied a pair of goals, and senior forward Simao Mendes (Brockton, Mass.) added three assists, to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 4-2 victory over Southeastern Massachusetts rival Wheaton College on Wednesday afternoon at Swenson Field.
The Bears (6-7-1) knocked of the Lyons (7-6-4) for the second time in the last three years as prior to 2010, Wheaton had won each of the first 16 meetings between the two teams. The Bears also gave Head Coach Brendan Adams (11th Year) his 99th career victory. Adams, the program's all-time winningest coach, is 99-79-20 (.551) since taking over the reins in 2002.
Senior forward Adam Smith (Kingston, Mass.) opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his team-leading fourth goal of the season. Mendes picked up the first of his three assists on the afternoon as he slid a short cross to a wide open Smith at the six who easily deposited his shot into the back of the net.
Shadduck staked the Bears to a 2-0 lead with his first goal of the afternoon off a cross from senior midfielder Jon Sampson (Plympton, Mass.) in the 29th minute. Sampson sent a pass into the box from 20 yards out to an unguarded Shadduck who redirected the ball over the approaching Wheaton keeper from just outside the six.
Wheaton freshman forward Kevin Gill (Pawtucket, R.I.) cut the Bears' lead in half with his sixth goal of the season in the 33rd minute with a shot inside the far post. Sophomore forward Travis Blair (Hastings, N.Y.) set up the scoring strike with a cross from the right side.
Just 27 seconds later, the Bears reclaimed their two-goal advantage as Shadduck notched his second marker of the day and third of the season. Mendes made as short pass from just outside the top of the box to Shadduck who turned and slipped a shot inside the right post.
Bridgewater would maintain the 3-1 lead until the 81st minute as Wheaton closed the gap on an unassisted tally by sophomore forward Jacob Battipaglia (Guilford, Conn.). Battipaglia hopped on a loose ball that got knocked around in the box and beat the BSU netminder with a shot to the top left corner of the net.
Senior forward Braima Samati (Boston, Mass.) would provide some insurance for the Bears as he capped off the scoring with just over a minute remaining. Coming down the left side of the field, Mendes slid a pass to a streaking Samati who dribbled into the box and rifled a shot inside the near post.
BSU junior goaltender Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) made seven saves to post his sixth win of the season. Wheaton freshman Matt Dickey (Newton, Mass.) notched a pair of saves before leaving the game due to injury after colliding with Shadduck on the Bears' second goal. Sophomore Jeff Paer (Fair Lawn, N.J.) played the final 61 plus minutes for the Lyons and turned aside two shots.
Bridgewater held a 9-4 shot advantage in the first half and a 4-2 edge in corner kicks. Wheaton, however, outshot the Bears, 15-8, over the final 45 minutes and attempted four of the five second half corners.
With his three assists, Mendes increased his career scoring total to 61 points (21G, 19A) as he ranks sixth among the Bears' all-time scoring leaders. Mendes is also tied for fourth inn assists along with Scott Floeck (1980-82).
Mendes, Samati, Sampson, Smith and fellow seniors Jose DePina (Boston, Mass.), Tucker Fairbanks (Plympton, Mass.) and Luke Samperi (North Easton, Mass.) were honored prior to the game as the seven Bears were playing in their final regular season home game.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon. Bridgewater travels to MCLA for a one o'clock MASCAC match with the Trailblazers. Wheaton entertains NEWMAC rival Clark University also at one.