NEWPORT, R.I. – Senior Justin Plourde (Concord, N.H.) scored his first goal of the season on a penalty kick midway through the first half to lead Roger Williams University to a 1-0 win over Salve Regina University in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) men's soccer action Tuesday afternoon at Reynolds Field.
Senior goalkeeper Peter Plate (Commack, N.Y.) recorded three saves to earn the win for the Hawks, who ran their win streak to three games and improved to 6-4 (2-1 TCCC) with the win. Senior Kurt Ginthwain (Tolland, Conn.) made two saves for the Seahawks (4-3, 1-1 TCCC), who saw their four-game win streak snapped.
At 22:31 of the first half, Seahawk freshman back Bobby Ernst (Needham, Mass.) received a red card for a foul he committed in the box on a free kick. Plourde took the ensuing penalty kick and beat Ginthwain with a chest-high shot inside the left post. The goal was the second allowed by Ginthwain on a penalty kick in six career attempts against him.
Playing a man down for the remainder of the match, the Seahawks controlled play at times and finished the game outshooting the Hawks, 9-6. Each team received a pair of corner kicks – one in each half – and the Hawks committed eight fouls, compared to 18 for Salve Regina. Six different players – three on each side – were credited with one shot on goal each.
The second half of the match provided few scoring chances for either team. The RWU defense, led by Plourde and Kevin Hand (Wilton, Conn.), deflected the Seahawk air attack. Outside defenders Chris Guerrini (Glastonbury, Conn.) and Nick Malatestinic (Bethel, Conn.) kept any wide Seahawk players from being an offensive threat.
The Hawk midfield rose to the occasion late in the second half, led by the play of #D.J. Hunter# (Middletown, Conn.), who dropped deeper into midfield from his normal striker position.
Roger Williams almost went ahead 2-0 late in the game when a long drive from Sean Kinnane (Tiverton, R.I.) glanced off the crossbar.
The Seahawks return to action on Saturday when they travel to Dudley, Mass. for a noon contest with Nichols. Roger Williams will be at Regis College Saturday at 1:00 p.m
- Additional information courtesy of the Salve Regina University Sports Information Department
