Men's Soccer Falls to Unbeaten Clark, 2-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Freshman forward Connor Ross (Atkinson, N.H.) potted a pair of goals to lead the unbeaten Clark University men's soccer team to a 2-0 shutout victory over host Bridgewater State University on Tuesday night at Swenson Field.

The visiting Cougars improve to 7-0 on the season, while the Bears fall to 4-3.

Ross staked Clark to a 1-0 lead with a header goal just 7:44 into the game. Senior midfielder Jack Stark (Abington, Mass.) sent a long volley into the box and Ross headed the ball inside the right post.

In the 1th minute, Ross got behind the BSU defense off a short thru-ball from junior midfielder Sean Munroe (Silver Spring, Md.) and beat the BSU netminder with a shot inside the left post. Freshman midfielder Gregory Amador (Westborough, Mass.) also assisted on the scoring strike.

Later in the half, both teams had goals called back due to offside calls, Clark in the 15th minute and Bridgewater in the 19th.

Neither team scored in the second half. The Bears had back-to-back quality scoring chances in the 65th minute. A well-placed shot from 37 yards out by senior midfielder Eber Moreno (Fogo, Cape Verde) was knocked over the crossbar by leaping Clark netminder Melvin Vincent (Rochester, Mass.). Moments later off the ensuing corner, Clark cleared the ball off the line to keep the shutout bid intact.

The Cougars outshot the Bears by a margin of 20-15 including a 10-4 advantage in the first half. Clark also held a 10-5 edge in corner kick attempts.

Melvin finished with five saves to record his fifth win and second shutout of the season. Junior Nate Morgado (Dartmouth, Mass.) turned aside eight shots in the setback for the Bears.

Both teams are back in action on Saturday. The Bears travel to Framingham State University for a 11 o'clock Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup with the Rams, while the Cougars host New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) rival Wheaton College at one.