Three-Goal Second Half Lifts Men's Soccer Past Bridgewater State Wednesday Night

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. - The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer team utilized three second-half goals to storm back and defeat Bridgewater State University (BSU), 3-1, on the road Wednesday night at Peter Mazzaferro Field in Bridgewater, Mass. The Blue Jays trailed 1-0 at the half, but sophomore midfielder Jason Moleiro (Rocky Hill, Conn.), freshman midfielder Matthew Dima (Oxford, Conn.) and graduate student midfielder Michael Torres (Hartford, Conn.) scored in the second half to lift the Blue Jays to victory. With the result, the Blue Jays improve to 2-0-0 while the Bears drop to 0-1-1.

KEY MOMENTS 

• USJ looked to press the hosts early, dominating the early run of play as senior forward Dane Stephens (Linstead, Jamaica) found himself open out the top of the box, forcing a diving stop on a shot destined for the bottom left corner in the opening minute.
• The Blue Jays continued to look for the early equalizer, keeping the ball on the BSU side of the field. However, the Bears would start to pressure USJ, generating their first real chance of the game in the 12th minute as a shot sailed just wide of the top corner.
• The Bears continued to pile on the pressure, forcing a fine save off a point-blank header from junior goalkeeper El Hadji Anne (Bronx, N.Y.), but the rebound fell right to Will Halben, who rolled the ball into an empty net to give BSU the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.
• USJ looked to answer back immediately in the 19th minute as Torres saw the BSU goalkeeper off his line and tried a long-range looping strike, but his effort sailed just high as the Bears maintained a 1-0 edge.
• Stephens nearly equalized the game in the 40th minute, pressing high up the field and winning the ball back before fighting his way into the box, but his shot missed right of the goal and the Blue Jays entered the halftime break down, 1-0.
• The Bears started out of the gates strong in the second half, as David Nelson worked his way through the USJ defense, but Anne made an excellent one-on-one kick save to deny BSU from doubling the advantage in the 49th minute.
• The Blue Jays though would gain momentum following the fantastic save, as Stephens, Moleiro and graduate student defender Nolan Clack (Hanson, Mass.) all forced saves from BSU's goalkeeper William Russell.
• USJ continued to pile on the pressure offensively and were rewarded for their efforts as Moleiro curled in a wonder-strike to the top right corner from the edge of the box, leveling the match at 1-1 in the 57th minute.
• The Blue Jays kept their feet on the gas looking to find the game-winner as Dima collected a loose ball in the midfield before finding space to his right and unleashing a strike into the top right corner from 25 yards out, establishing a 2-1 USJ edge in the 78th minute.
• Sophomore forward Emmanuel Ofori (East Hartford, Conn.) nearly made it a 3-1 lead in the 80th minute, but his shot was cleared of the line by the BSU defense to keep the score at 2-1.
• BSU tried to push for the equalizer late in the match, but USJ would put the game to rest as Torres collected a loose rebound, firing into an empty net to secure a 3-1 USJ victory.

NOTES 

• Moleiro and Dima both netted their first career goals for the Blue Jays.
• Torres netted his first goal of the season.
• Stephens paced the USJ offense with eight shots, including five on frame.
• The Blue Jays held a commanding 20-11 edge in shots, including a 14-4 lead in shots on goals.
• USJ also held the advantage in corner kicks, 7-1.
• Anne made three saves on the night, improving to 2-0-0 on the year.
• With the result, the Blue Jays take the lead in the all-time series, 1-0, after winning the inaugural meeting.

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays begin the defense of their Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) crown, beginning conference play at Norwich University on Saturday, September 9. Kickoff against the Cadets on Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium in Northfield, Vt., is set for 1:00 p.m.

FOLLOW
For the latest on University of Saint Joseph Athletics, follow the Blue Jays on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Fans can also download the USJ Front Row Mobile App and subscribe to our Newsletter and Text Alerts. #FearTheFlock #GoBlueJays