Chenard Nets Game-Winner as Men's Soccer Downs Fitchburg State, 2-1

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Sophomore forward Andrew Chenard (Kingston, Mass.) potted the game-winning goal in the 58th minute to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 2-1 MASCAC victory over visiting Fitchburg State University on Saturday afternoon at rainy Swenson Field.

Bridgewater improves to 6-6 on the season and 3-1 in the MASCAC.  The Bears are currently alone atop the conference standings. Fitchburg drops to 5-7 overall and 1-3 in MASCAC play. 

Bridgewater held a 1-0 lead at the break as junior forward Conor Murtagh (Walpole, Mass.) scored an unassisted tally off a corner kick just 3:31 into the contest.  Junior midfielder Nicholas Keddie (Abington, Mass.) served the corner attempt into the box which was mishandled by a Fitchburg defender.  Murtagh hopped on the loose ball and easily deposited a shot into the back of the net.

The Falcons knotted the game at 1-1 in the 54th minute as junior midfielder Alex Calder (Melbourne, Australia) tucked in a shot from 40 yards out under the crossbar.

Chenard notched the game-winner just over four minutes later as he knocked in a loose ball near the goal line of a long service from senior defender Josh Goehring (Haverhill, Mass.).

Chenard and Murtagh remain tied for the team lead in goals with four apiece.

BSU sophomore netminder Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) made a pair of saves including a leaping stop of a Calder shot labeled for under the crossbar in the 65th minute.  Keddie also cleared a ball off the line in the 22nd minute to keep the Falcons off the scoreboard in the opening stanza.

The Bears held a 12-7 shot advantage for the game as well as an 8-5 edge in corner kicks.

Senior Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, Mass.) turned aside three shots between the pipes for the Falcons.

The Bears are back in action on Wednesday night when they host regional rival Wheaton College at seven.  The Falcons travel to Eastern Connecticut State University on Tuesday afternoon for a 3:30 game with the Warriors.