WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Westfield State University men's soccer team appeared in their first conference title game since 2017, falling to top-seeded Bridgewater State 5-0 in the 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship game from Mazzaferro Field in Bridgewater, Mass. on Sunday.

The Owls conclude a successful season campaign as Westfield (7-8-2) increased their season win total by four games from last year, securing the second overall seed in the MASCAC Tournament.

The Owls run to the title game included a memorable penalty-kick shootout victory over Salem State in the league semifinals to advance to today's conference title game with a relatively short turnaround given the effort and intensity of Friday night's match.

In just his second season as Westfield's head men's soccer coach, Dr. Christopher Streeter led the Owls back to the conference championship match for the first time in six years, coaching a group that was comprised of experienced upper-classmen and impact rookies.

Bridgewater quickly opened the scoring 4:28 into the match with Nicholas Ribeiro (Bellingham, Mass.) potting his sixth goal of the season to put the Bears ahead 1-0. From that point forward, senior David Nelson (East Bridgewater, Mass.) took control of the contest, scoring the next three goals to complete the hattrick, ultimately securing the conference title for a Bears team that suffered just two regulation losses all season.

The Bears outshot the Owls 20-9 in the game as Westfield rotated all four goalkeepers into the match. Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) wrapped up an impressive first season with the Owls, starting the match and picking up one save.

Senior Drew Adams (North Attleboro, Mass.) stopped all four shots faced while first-year Berto Truoiolo (Springfield, Mass.) got his first taste of postseason play, securing two saves. Senior Collin O'Brien (Windsor Locks, Conn.) also saw playing time in net for Westfield. Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) led the Owls with two shots.