Men's Soccer Drops 1-0 Decision to Fitchburg State in MASCAC Title Game

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Tournament MVP Brett Smith (North Andover, Mass.) tallied the game's only goal as the third-seeded Fitchburg State University Falcons captured the 2014 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament championships with a 1-0 victory over top-seeded Bridgewater State University on Sunday afternoon at Swenson Field.

With the tournament title, their first, the Falcons (11-10) advance to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in program history.  NCAA Tournament pairings will be announced on Monday afternoon at 1:30 on ncaa.com.  The Bears fall to 9-8-1 and will await word on a potential ECAC Tournament bid.

Smith, a senior midfielder, staked the Falcons to the 1-0 lead in the 30th minute as he headed in a long volley sent into the box by freshman defender Kevin Aldrovandi (Carver, Mass.) off a restart.

That goal would stand up thanks in large part to FSU senior goalkeeper Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, Mass.).  Hanratty made 11 saves to record his third shutout of the tournament and tenth of the season. Eight of his saves came in the second half alone with the Bears pressing for the equalizing tally.

Territorial advantage belonged to Bridgewater State throughout much of the contest as the Bears outshot the Falcons 21-7 and held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks.

Sophomore Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) made one save for the host Bears as five of Fitchburg's seven shots were off frame.