Box Score

WORCESTER, Mass. -- After upsetting the second-seed in the semifinals, the Bridgewater State Bears completed the cycle, besting the top-seeded Worcester State Lancers Sunday, 1-0 in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship.

Tournament MVP Conor Murtagh scored the lone goal of the game in the 85th minute on a header past Lancers' keeper Nick Zucco. It was Murtagh's goal on Friday in the semifinals that punched the Bears ticket to the championship game Sunday. 

The Lancers had a great opportunity to stake an early one-goal advantage when junior Derek Kareta found senior Alex Wolfel streaking up the left side, however, his bid to pick the near corner missed wide left in the 12th minute.

Murtagh almost gave Bridgewater State the first half edge when he tried heading home senior Colin Neri's cross from the right side, but Worcester State's Zucco made a great save to keep the score knotted at 0-0 in the 27th minute. 

The Blue and Gold then had back-to-back opportunities by sophomore Alex Goncalves in with 13 minutes remaining in the opening frame. Bears keeper Matt Bagley came to the top of the box to deny Goncalves first effort. Goncalves was then able to corral his own rebound and fire once again, however, this time junior Chris Naughton kicked the ball away, protecting the empty net.

With only 5:30 remaining in the game, it was Murtagh again who would provide the only offense the Bears would need to win the game on a header off a cross by teammate Steve McAvoy.

Zucco registered four saves in the set back as Bagley turned aside two shots in securing his ninth shutout of the season. Bridgewater State led in shots 15-8 while Worcester State had the 4-2 advantage in corner kicks.

The Bears will know their tournament fate tomorrow when the NCAA announces the tournament match-ups at 1 p.m. on ncaa.com. The opening games of the tournament will be played on November 15th and 16th.

Portion of release provided by Worcester State Sports Information