BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (courtesy Bridgewater State) – Freshman forward Steve Keucharian (Watertown, MA) notched the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the Brandeis University men’s soccer team to a 3-2 victory over host Bridgewater State College this afternoon in Bridgewater.

In a back and forth game, the Judges jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on an unassisted goal by sophomore midfielder Alex Zenerovitz (Acton, MA). Bridgewater responded on junior midfielder Jon Nutting’s (Rockland, MA) first of two goals on the day in the 26th minute. Off a restart, Nutting headed in a long volley off the foot of junior defender Jon Machado (Weymouth, MA).

Brandeis would quickly reclaim the lead as freshman midfielder Kyle Gross (Medway, MA) put the Judges back on top, 2-1, with an unassisted tally less than two minutes later as he ripped a shot that deflected in off the far left post. Later in the half, Gross would have a chance to expand the Judge’s lead but was stopped at point blank range on a great save by BSC starting keeper Drew Pontbriand (Fairhaven, MA).

The score remained 2-1 in favor of the Judges late in the second half when Nutting gave the Bears a lift as he notched the equalizing goal with under two minutes remaining in regulation. Nutting took a feed from senior midfielder Jay O’Neil (Medfield, MA), turned and ripped a shot inside the far left post to tie the game up.

That would set the stage for Keucharian’s heroics as he jumped on a deflection off the foot of junior forward Ben Premo (Florence, MA), went in on a semi-breakaway and beat BSC junior keeper Ryan Seifert (Ludlow, MA) with a shot to the right side of the goal.

For the Bears, Pontbriand registered 4 saves while Seifert turned aside 6 shots including a clean breakaway attempt late in the second half. Sophomore Taylor Bracken (North Andover, MA) registered 4 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Judges.

BSC (3-5-1) will be back in action on Saturday afternoon at 2 as the Bears host MASCAC rival MCLA. Brandeis (3-2-2) is also home on Saturday as the Judges take on the University of Rochester in a University Athletic Association (UAA) match.