de Oliveira Scores Twice; Bridgewater State Outlasts Men’s Soccer, 3-2
NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) freshman Gustavo de Oliveira scored twice but the Men's Soccer team's second half comeback came up just short as the Trailblazers fell to visiting MASCAC rival Bridgewater State, 3-2. With the result the Bears improve to 3-4-0 (2-1-0 MASCAC) while MCLA falls to 2-5-0 (1-1-0 MASCAC).
Following a sustained period of Bridgewater State pressure that resulted in several excellent scoring opportunities, MCLA's Gustavo de Oliveira lasered a free kick into the top right corner from nearly 30 yards out to give the Trailblazers a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute.
It took less than two minutes however for the Bears to answer as Cameron Wally headed home a ball off the crossbar to even the match at a goal apiece. When the first-half buzzer sounded Bridgewater had outshot MCLA 21-6, but the score remained tied, 1-1.
The visitors kept the pressure on out of the break, scoring twice in just over a minute-and-a half (Filippo Mucci 57th minute and Nicholas Ribeiro 59th minute) to make it 3-1.
The Trailblazers came back less than a minute later when a tight, well-aimed William Bogue cross was headed home by de Oliveira for his second goal of the night to cut the deficit to 3-2. MCLA continued to compete over the next half-hour of play unable to find the equalizer as the Bears manged to keep them at bay, ultimately escaping with the 3-2 league victory.
Bridgewater State keeper Kyle Sullivan (W, 3-3-0) made four stops in the win. MCLA's Oliver Le Lacheur (L, 2-5-0) had 12 saves enduring the loss.
The Bears held a decisive advantage in shots (34-9) and corner kicks (6-2).
Bridgewater State next hosts Emerson Tuesday evening while MCLA visits Worcester State at 2pm in another MASCAC matchup.
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