Men's Soccer Falls to Mass. Maritime, 1-0, in Overtime

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior defender Asa Mills' (Westport, Mass.) goal just 2:51 into overtime lifted visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy to a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's soccer action on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.

With the overtime victory, Mass. Maritime improves to 6-5-2 on the season and 2-2-1 in the MASCAC.  Bridgewater State falls to 5-7-2 overall and 2-1-3 in conference play.  It is only the second win for the Buccaneers over the Bears in the last 22 years.  Mass. Maritime is now 7-25-3 against Bridgewater since 1980.

Mills, who found himself alone in front of the net after a misplay by a Bear defender, slipped a shot past a charging BSU goaltender and inside the right post to win the game for the Buccaneers.  The goal marked his third of the season.

Bridgewater State started the first half off strong registering five shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of play.  Bridgewater State maintained possession for a majority of the half, but they couldn't capitalize on their scoring opportunities despite outshooting the Buccaneers, 10-1, in the frame.

The second half remained the same for Bridgewater State as they found themselves with several scoring chances.  Sophomore forward Conor Murtagh's (Walpole, Mass.) header shot  in the 60th minute may have been the Bears' best scoring opportunity as it sailed just high of the goal.  Mass. Maritime gained more control at the end of the stanza with sophomore midfielder Connor McInnis (Duxbury, Mass.) missing high on a blistering shot from just inside the 18 in the 86th minute.

Bridgewater State outshot Mass. Maritime 14-4 for the game and held an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.  The Buccaneers recorded the only two shots of the extra period.

Mass. Maritime freshman goalie Joe Cohen (Plymouth, Mass.) had seven saves in the game and picked up his fourth win of the season and second solo shutout.  BSU senior keeper Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) made two saves between the pipes for Bridgewater State.

Bridgewater State is 0-3-2 in their last five games and have been shutout in each of the last three.  The Bears have gone over 335 minutes (335:10) without scoring a goal.

Both teams are back in action on Tuesday with non-conference matches.  Mass. Maritime will travel to UMass Boston for a three o'clock game with the Beacons.  Bridgewater State will host UMass Dartmouth  at seven.