By Jim Fenton

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- As a soccer player at Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School, he split time between being a goalkeeper and midfielder.

When Nelson Almada reached his senior year with the Trojans, he turned his attention full time to playing in goal.

"I had been in and out, goalie and in the field, and I had to make a decision," said Almada. "I thought I was a better keeper than a field player."

So Almada focused on goalkeeper in his final year at B-R and then for four seasons at the former Bridgewater State College, playing for the Bears from 1993-96.

The decision to be solely a goalkeeper turned out to be an outstanding one for Almada and Bridgewater State.

Almada's name can be found throughout the Bears' men's soccer record book after he went 42-16-8 and helped the team reach the ECAC tournament three of four years.

This week, Almada will be taking his place in the Bridgewater State University Athletics Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony Friday night at the Rondileau Student Union Ballroom.

"It's an amazing honor," said Almada, a 1998 graduate. "It was a surprise. I had good teammates. We always had a good team. I was OK, I guess."

Almada was a lot better than OK for the Bears during his four years in net.

He was chosen to the All-Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference first team in 1993 and 1994 and the second team in 1995 and 1996.

The highlight came in '94 when Almada was selected the MASCAC Player of the Year after helping the Bears go 13-4-2 and reach the ECAC tourney for a second year in a row.

Almada made the All-Region second team as a freshman and was on the third team as a sophomore.

His 1.12 goals against average remains the career record at Bridgewater State nearly 30 years after he last played.

Almada has the best career winning percentage among goalies with at least 30 games (.697, 42-16-8).

Almada ranks second in career saves with 393, trailing John Naughton (397 from 2003-06) and his 123 saves in both 1994 and 1995 are second only to Brian Krug (131 in 2002) for most in a single season.

With 20.5 career shutouts, Almada is third behind Naughton (23.5) and Colin Jepson (21, 2014-16).

Almada owns the school record for wins by a goalie with 42, eight in front of the second-place keeper.

"I read the game well," said Almada of what made his so successful. "I liked being in charge back there."

The Bears went 15-4-1, 13-4-2, 12-3-4 and 12-6-1 in his four seasons.

"We were very successful," said Almada, who started 60 games. "Our record spoke for itself. We were always way over a winning record all four years."

Almada had a short trip to make to Bridgewater State after graduating from B-R.

"That was a bonus," said Almada. "I knew both of the coaches (Luis Reis and Mike O'Connor).

"Every kid wants to play college soccer. To be honest, I just wanted to play ball, have fun, have a good experience."

Almada is sure there will be plenty of memories popping up this week as he goes into the BSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

"I think the memories I have are being a good teammate and meeting amazing people," said Almada. "We had a great time."