Men's Soccer Opens 2011 Campaign with 2-0 Shutout of Endicott

BEVERLY, Mass. – The Endicott College men's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to visiting Bridgewater State University in the Gulls' 2011 home opener on Monday afternoon. 

The Gulls drop to 0-2 on the early season while the Bears, competing in their first match of the year, improve to 1-0. 

Midway through the first half, BSU junior forward Simao Mendes (Brockton, Mass.) scored after collecting a long pass from senior midfielder Donald Flores (Cranston, R.I.) near the Endicott box.  Mendes beat his defender and placed a low shot past Gulls keeper Alex Jorge (Billerica, Mass.) who came out to challenge the shot. 

Bridgewater State struck again in the 44th minute as senior forward Mike Fraser (Marshfield, Mass.) was able to sneak a short flick shot over the goalie's fingertips to put the visitors up 2-0.

Endicott had chances to score early in the first half on corner kick opportunities.  Sophomore Alex Elia (Somers, Conn.) headed a ball just over the crossbar and senior Ryan Coates (Wethersfield, Conn.) footed a shot that sailed over the top of the net as well. 

In the second half, Bridgewater State looked to make it 3-0 on a one-on-one attempt by sophomore Craig Shadduck (Braintree, Mass.).  Endicott goalie Aaron Kanter (Medfield, Mass.), who started the second half, ran up and made a save on Shadduck's close range shot up the middle to keep the score at 2-0.  Kanter finished with three saves in the second half.   

Endicott had one more opportunity to get on the scoreboard in the 89th minute on a strong attempt to the lower left corner of the net by sophomore Bobby Durben (Stow, Mass.), but a BSU defender was covering the post and turned aside the shot. 

Bridgewater State sophomore goaltender Joe Parsons (Springfield, Mass.) earned the win without having to make a save.

The Gulls were outshot 9-7 but held a 10-2 advantage in corner kicks for the match. 

Endicott opens up their 2011 Commonwealth Coast Conference schedule on Saturday, September 10th against Western New England.  The match will be played at home starting at 3:30 pm.  Bridgewater State returns to the North Shore on Wednesday, September 7th for a 4:00 pm match against Gordon.