Men's Soccer Drops 1-0 Decision to Westfield State

By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University men's soccer team had its long undefeated streak against Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents ended Saturday.

The Bears were edged by Westfield State University, 1-0, on a goal in the final minute at Mazzaferro Field.

BSU had gone 17-0-5 in regular-season and tournament games against MASCAC teams dating back to a 3-0 loss to Framingham State on Sept. 24, 2022.

The Bears, who have already clinched the MASCAC title, are 8-5-2 overall and 5-1 in the conference. They had won three straight games before losing to the Owls.

Westfield State is 6-6-5 and is 3-1-2, good for second place in the MASCAC.

The Owls did not have a shot on goal until breaking the scoreless tie at 89:10.

Junior Sonny Mazza (East Longmeadow, Mass.) netted his third goal, assisted by freshman Ryan Viana (Framingham, Mass.).

Viana moved in from the right sight and got to the 18 where he delivered a centering pass to Mazza, who put a shot past senior keeper Lukas Ekmanis (Baxter, Tenn.) inside the right post for the day's lone goal.

BSU had an 11-1 edge in shots on goal, a 23-9 advantage in shots and a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Westfield State sophomore goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) made 11 saves for the shutout.

BSU senior Dominek Borden (New Bedford, Mass.) had four of his team's 11 shots on goal.

The Bears will have Senior Day on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. when they host Rhode Island College at Mazzaferro Field.

The Owls end the regular season on Saturday, hosting Salem State at noon.