Men's Soccer Blanks RIC, 3-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Graduate forward Kevin Roberts (Medford, Mass.) tallied a goal and an assist to lead the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 3-0 shutout victory over visiting Rhode Island College on Wednesday night at Swenson Field.

The game marked the home opener for the Bears who improve to 1-1 on the season. The visiting Anchormen fall to 1-2 with the setback. Bridgewater is now 14-17-1 all-time versus RIC.

Roberts converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute to open the scoring for the Bears. Senior defender Dan Rickson (West Warren, Mass.) drew the PK as he was take down from behind just inside the 18.

Junior forward David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.) buried a shot off the outstretched hand of the diving RIC keeper and inside the far post from 16 yards out to give the Bears a 2-0 lead in the 64th minute.

Just 65 seconds later, junior forward Robson Montrond (Brockton, Mass.) converted a crossing pass from Roberts as he fired a shot inside the near post from 11 yards out. Junior defender Joseph Madden Jr. (Milford, Mass.) collected the secondary assist on the strike as he sent Roberts down the right sideline with a short volley.

Sophomore goalkeeper Lukas Ekmanis (Baxter, Tenn.) made five saves to record his first collegiate win and first shutout for the Bears.

Bridgewater State held a 20-12 shot advantage for the game while RIC finished with an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.

Senior netminder Charlie Tashjian (West Warwick, R.I.) turned aside ten shots between the pipes for the Anchormen.

Notes: Roberts now has 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 career points….Nelson has found the back of the net in each of the Bears' first two games….Before scoring tonight, Montrond's last goal came in the Bears' dramatic 5-3 come-from-behind win over Framingham State in the MASCAC Championship game on November 4, 2018.