Men's Soccer Edged by Fitchburg State, 2-1

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior defender Nolan Brassard (Leominster, Mass.) scored with five seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Fitchburg State University men's soccer team to a 2-1 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory over visiting Bridgewater State University on Saturday morning at Elliot Field.

The Falcons improve to 7-7-2 on the season and 3-2-1 in the MASCAC, while the Bears fall to 3-12-1 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Eight of Bridgewater State's 12 setbacks have been by one goal.

After a scoreless first half, the two teams exchanged goals just ten seconds apart in the 55th minute.

Freshman forward Alexander Loyd (Kingston, Mass.) got behind the BSU defense off a nice feed from junior midfielder Yannick DePina (Boston, Mass.) and beat the keeper one-on-one for his MASCAC-leading 11th goal of the season. Moments later, sophomore forward Patrick Gildea (Bridgewater, Mass.) drew a foul in the box and senior defender Zachary Ells (Douglas, Mass.) converted the ensuing penalty kick to knot the score at 1-1. The goal marked Ells' first of the season.

With time ticking away in regulation, Brassard collected a crossing pass near the top of the 18 and fired a shot into the right side of the net. Freshman midfielder Joshua Atemkeng (Peabody, Mass.) assisted on Brassard's game-winner.

The Falcons finished with a 22-14 shot advantage for the game as well as a 5-3 edge in corner kick attempts.

Junior goalkeeper Sebastian Jaramillo (Dracut, Mass.) made eight saves to record his third win of the season between the pipes for the hosts. Senior netminder Nate Morgado (Dartmouth, Mass.) turned aside seven shots in the setback for Bridgewater State.

In upcoming action, the Bears host Babson College on Tuesday afternoon at three. The Beavers are ranked seventh in the most recent New England regional rankings.  The Falcons travel to Rhode Island College on Wednesday evening for a six o'clock game with the Anchormen.