WALTHAM, Mass. - The visiting Bridgewater State College men's soccer team scored once in each half today to defeat host Brandeis, 2-1, in a non-conference contest. The Bears improved to 6-1-2 overall, including 4-0-1 on the road, while the Judges fall to 6-3 overall.
Bridgewater State got the scoring started in the 22nd minute. Rookie Chris Swindell (Milford, Mass.) took advantage of a turnover deep in the Brandeis zone. He fed sophomore Mike Fraser (Marshfield, Mass.), who blasted one home from just inside the 18. It was Fraser's second goal of the season.
The Bears tallied the game-winning goal in the 53rd minute. Senior forward Jon Nutting (Rockland, Mass.) collected a ball that had been headed around in the Brandeis zone. His blast from about 30 yards out went just under the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Brandeis rookie netminder Sean O'Hare (Southampton, Mass.) It was his second tally of the season.
Brandeis got one back in the 65th minute. Junior midfielder Patrick Metelus (Pernier, Haiti) took a free kick from just outside the BSC box. Metelus put the ball right on the foot of senior Ben Premo (Florence, Mass.), who one-timed it past Bear senior Ryan Seifert (Ludlow, Mass.). For Premo, it was his eight goal of the season and the 36th of his career, tying him for fifth on Brandeis's all-time list.
The Judges kept up the pressure on Bridgewater State, getting off nine shots in the final 26 minutes. But Seifert was up to the task, making two of his seven saves in that span. O'Hare finished with four stops, including a point-blank save just after Premo's goal to keep the contest a one-goal affair.
Brandeis is next in action with their University Athletic Association (UAA) opener on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Rochester. Bridgewater State's next contest is a MASCAC showdown at Fitchburg State at 4:00 p.m. the same day.