Men's Soccer Drops 3-2 Overtime Decision to 10th Ranked Babson

BABSON PARK, Mass. -- Babson College senior Jimmy Stento (Needham, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal two minutes into overtime to help the nationally-ranked Beavers complete a 3-2 comeback victory over visiting Bridgewater State University in a non-conference men's soccer contest at Hartwell-Rogers Field on Tuesday afternoon.

By avoiding the upset, Babson, ranked 10th in the nation in the most recent NSCAA National Poll, remained unbeaten at 3-0 on the season. Meanwhile, the Bears fell to 0-2 with the loss.

Bridgewater State struck first just 70 seconds into the game, beginning with a corner kick from the right side by senior Jose DePina (Boston, Mass.) that found first-year Ryan Madden (Milton, Mass.) on the far side of the box. The rookie back's first shot attempt was denied by a great diving stop by Beavers' first-year keeper Stephen Donato (Morganville, N.J.), but Madden gained control of his own rebound and blasted a shot into the lower right corner for his first goal of the season at 1:10.

The Bears added another goal to make it 2-0 later in the half, as a cross from the right corner was deflected into the Babson net by a defender for an own goal at 27:08. The Beavers then began their comeback with their first goal of the afternoon less than four minutes later, as senior captain Eric Anderson (Scituate, Mass.) converted a penalty kick inside the left post after being taken down near the top of the box at 30:47. It was the two-time All-American's third goal in as many games this season, and it cut the hosts' deficit to 2-1 heading into the break.

Babson finally pulled even in the 64th minute, as sophomore Brenden Matthews (Marlborough, Mass.) fed the ball down the right sideline to Stento. The senior midfielder then crossed it to the goal mouth, where Anderson headed a shot off the crossbar and in for his second goal of the day and fourth of the year at 63:16.

Neither team scored in the final 26 minutes of regulation, although both teams had their chances. Bridgewater State's best opportunities came a minute apart, as junior Craig Shaddock (Braintree, Mass.) had his open shot from 22 yards out stopped by Donato with 9:10 left and then had a header off a long free kick go wide of the right post with 8:10 remaining. Babson then had back-to-back chances inside the final two minutes, but Bears junior Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) made two fantastic saves to force overtime. The Bridgewater State keeper made a diving save to his right on Matthews' bid from inside the six with 1:55 left and then came back across the goal mouth to make a diving stop to his left on senior Salo Guindi's (Mexico City, Mexico) hard-hit follow-up just seconds later.

Babson completed the come-from-behind win just under two minutes into the first overtime session, beginning when junior captain Salvatore Percival (Andover, Mass.) sent a long pass up the middle of the field. Anderson then headed it forward to a streaking Stento for a clean breakaway, and he slid a low shot past the charging Bagley and into the center of the net for his first goal of the season at 91:59.

Making his first collegiate start, Donato finished with two saves in goal to secure the win, while Bagley turned away seven shots in defeat for the Bears. Babson held a 30-9 shot advantage and a 7-4 edge in corner kicks in the contest.