By Kristen Botas, Contributing Writer
The UMass Dartmouth men’s soccer team came on strong this week battling against the elements as they took on both Bridgewater State and Keene State.
On Tuesday, October 18 the Corsairs lost in a close game, finishing 4-3 against Bridgewater State at Cressy Field.
Bridgewater struck early, with a 3-0 lead within the first 28 minutes. Two of the three goals off corner kicks, and the third with a penalty kick.
Senior Captain Matthew Vidal quickly made his way around the defender where he found Senior Captain Stephan Teixeira making his way through the box, placing it in the bottom left corner in the first half.
Luis Carranza had four stops in the first half, and was later relieved by Danny Andrade who had a pair of saves in the second half.
Another goal by Bridgewater State in the second half sparked a flame of retribution in the Corsairs offense. Vidal added a goal of his own by weaving through the Bridgewater defense and buried a shot in the bottom left corner.
In the last minutes of the game, Austin Dias scored with the rebound off of Vidal’s penalty kick creating the final score of 4-3.
UMass Dartmouth outshot Bridgewater state 19-15 and had a 17-3 advantage on corner kicks.
Teixeira’s goal in the 31st minute snapped a scoreless streak of 356:04, since October 23, 2012. Overall, the men are now 11-20-6 all-time against Bridgewater.
On Saturday, October 22, the Corsairs took on the elements and Keene State, with a crucial win 1-0 on senior day.
The first half of the game, both teams were unable to find any opportunity to score and completed with the half 0-0. In the second half, the Corsairs held their ground scoring a goal in the 53rd minute setting the final score of 1-0.
Vidal used his back heel to pass the ball to Teixeira. Where Teixeira, found Austin Dias over on the right side of the field whom chipped the ball over the opposing charging Owls keeper.
Carranza made a direct save on Keene State off a corner kick shot at the 86th minute keeping the Corsairs’ home advantage.
The Corsairs outshot Keene State 8-7 and now have won five out of the last six matches against Keene State.
Some highlights of the game included the seniors, team and crowd who took a moment at the beginning of the game to acknowledge the seniors’ families and loved ones. The five seniors of the 2016 UMass Dartmouth men’s soccer season include forward Matthew Vidal, goalkeeper Luis Carranza, forward Stephan Teixeira, defender Troy Martins and defender Georges Tenie.
Next on the agenda, come and cheer on the men as they take on the Coast Guard Tuesday, October 25 at 7pm at Cressy Field for the regular season home finale.
If you cannot make the game on Tuesday, make plans for a fun-filled day trip with family and friends to up to Plymouth State on Saturday, October 29 at 1pm for the UMass Dartmouth men’s soccer team’s final game of the regular season.