Moran Lifts Men's Soccer to 3-2 Overtime Win

BRISTOL, R.I. – Kane Moran (Perth Australia) tallied a pair of goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lift the visiting Bridgewater State University men's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Roger Williams University on Wednesday evening.

Moran potted the game-winning tally with 2:21 remaining in the overtime period as the Bears improve to 4-5-1 on the season.

RWU kept the Bridgewater defense on its toes in the opening half, outshooting the Bears 9-3 in the period. BSU keeper Nate Morgado (Dartmouth, Mass.) stayed busy in net, making three saves in the half. Despite the Hawks' efforts, RWU was unable to get on the board, as the first half ended in a scoreless tie.

Bridgewater's Filipe Gomes (Fogo, Cape Verde) broke the stalemate in the 57th minute, taking a cross from Sawyer Fleck (Foxboro, Mass.) and heading the ball into the net for his team-leading fifth goal of the year. Tyler Kuchenbecker (Wellesley, Mass.) came back ten minutes later and knotted the game at one apiece, getting the assist from Charlie Mader (Scarborough, Maine).

Bridgewater State did not take long to regain the advantage as Moran one-timed a shot off a miscleared ball from 18 yards out in the 70th minute to put the Bears back on top, 2-1.

It appeared that Bridgewater was headed for the win before Trevor Sparda (Scarborough, Maine) connected with Riley Parnham (Califon, N.J.) for the game-tying goal with just under three minutes left in regulation. Parnham's score would help the Hawks send the game into overtime.

In the extra frame, Moran came through once again for the Bears, scoring the golden goal off a misplayed clearance. Moran collected the ball at the top of the 18 and delivered a shot that deflected off a Hawk defender and into the back of the net.

Morgado earned the win for the Bears as he tied his season-high with eight saves. Nick Nelson (Madison, Conn.) turned aside four shots in the setback for the Hawks.

RWU held a 21-18 shot advantage for the game as well as a 5-2 edge in corner kicks. Shots were even at three apiece in the overtime period.

On Saturday, Roger Williams (3-9-1) will host Western New England University, while Bridgewater State takes on Salem State.