McAvoy Nets Winner in OT to Lift Men's Soccer to 4-3 Win

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- Sophomore midfielder Steve McAvoy's (Walpole, Mass.) goal in overtime lifted the Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 4-3 victory over visiting UMass Boston on Wednesday night at Swenson Field.

The host Bears improve to 4-5-1 on the season with the dramatic win, while the Beacons fall to 3-6-2.

McAvoy notched the game-winner in the 96th minute as he converted off an assist from senior forward Braima Samati (Boston, Mass.).  For McAvoy it was his second goal of the season.  Samati sent a cross into the 18 and McAvoy ripped a shot into the right corner of the net to give the Bears their fourth win in the last six games (4-1-1).

The Bears won despite giving up a three goal lead in the second half as the visiting Beacons scored three goals in a span of three minutes and 19 seconds to send the game into the extra session.

Bridgewater held a 2-0 advantage at the intermission on a pair of first half tallies from freshman midfielder Jeff Braverman (Framingham, Mass.) and sophomore forward Ramon Ambrosio (Canton, Mass.).  Braverman scored in the 22nd minute, his second goal of the season, while Ambrosio notched his first of the year in the 40th minute.

Sophomore defender Josh Goehring (Haverhill, Mass.) set up Braverman's goal as he sent a long volley into the box from 40 yards out which Braverman headed over the keeper and into the back of the net.  Ambrosio ripped a shot off a direct kick from 20 yards away that deflected off the bottom of the crossbar and landed just over the goal line.

Senior forward Simao Mendes (Brockton, Mass.) gave the Bears a 3-0 early second half advantage as he converted on a penalty kick in the 48th minute.  Braverman drew the call as he was taken down in the box.  For Mendes, the goal marked his first of the season and seventh career penalty kick strike.

The Beacons started their comeback in the 75th minute as senior midfielder Victor Hugo Costa (Malden, Mass.) headed in a corner kick from senior midfielder Brian Sanz (Belo Horizonte, Brazil).  Just over two minute later, UMass again converted off a corner as senior midfielder Reyn Johnson (Mangilao, Guam) headed home sophomore midfielder Douglas Silviera's (Revere, Mass.) kick.

Sophomore midfielder Kelvin Martinez (East Boston, Mass.) would knot the game at three apiece for the Beacons in the 78th minute.  Martinez blocked a clearance pass, corralled the ball and beat the BSU keeper from close range.

The teams combined for six shots in the final ten minutes of regulation, but none found their mark.  The game would head to overtime where McAvoy would provide the Bears with the clutch goal.

Bridgewater held a 24-13 shot advantage for the game including a 12-3 edge in the first half.  BSU junior netminder Matt Bagley (Braintree, Mass.) made three saves to post his fourth win of the season.  UMass sophomore Bryce Menard (Randolph, Mass.) turned aside nine shots for the visitors.

In upcoming action, the Bears host MASCAC rival Framingham State University on Saturday morning at 11, while the Beacons entertain Little East for UMass Dartmouth on Saturday afternoon at one.