Men’s Soccer holds off Rhode Island College

Box Score PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team remained unbeaten on the season, defeating Rhode Island College 3-2 at the R.I.C Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.

Sophomore forward Jose Zarraga (Providence, R.I.) tallied a goal and an assist for Rhode Island College, while sophomore midfielder Camilo Estrada (Pawtucket, R.I.) added his first goal of the season.

Roger Williams (4-0-0) opened up the game with an early scoring onslaught, sparked by a pair of goals from junior midfielder Cooper Allebrand (Santa Barbara, Calif.). In the fifth minute of action, Allebrand ripped home a shot off the fingertips of R.I.C freshman goalkeeper Christopher Moura (Rumford, R.I.) after gathering a feed from sophomore forward James Sheldon (Amherst, N.H.) and firing it in from the right side of the box.

Then, in the 16th minute of action, freshman defender Ryan Sharby (Goffstown, N.H.) found freshman midfielder Trevor Sparda (Scarborough, Maine) streaking down the middle of the field. Sparda broke free through the defense and dished to an open Allebrand, who found the back of the net for his second score of the game.

Rhode Island College (1-1-2) answered back in the 20th minute thanks to Estrada, who entered the contest off the bench and instantly provided a spark. After a loose ball deflected off a RWU defender in the box, Zarraga gathered possession and hit Estrada with a perfect pass. Estrada quickly made it a one-goal game as he chipped it past senior goalkeeper Jon Pelloso (Wilbraham, Mass.) for his first score of the season.

The Anchormen had a chance to tie the game at two apiece in the opening minutes of the second half when junior forward Emannuel Asiedu (Lincoln, R.I.) had a chance to make a play in the box, but was tripped up inadvertently by a RWU defender. However, the Hawks avoided giving up a penalty kick, as no call was made by the officials despite contact between Asiedu and the defender.

Moments later, Roger Williams capitalized on their own opportunity when a Rhode Island College foul in the box gave the Hawks a penalty kick in the 59th minute. RWU senior forward Trevor Hoxsie (Scarborough, Mass.) slipped his shot past freshman goalkeeper Douglas Morgan (Landing, N.J.), who replaced Moura early in the first period, to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

After several missed opportunities on both ends of the field, R.I.C made things interesting in the 77th minute when Zarraga posted his third goal of the season following a beautifully placed corner kick from junior midfielder Brian Sujecki (Pawcatuck, Conn.). Yet, despite a flurry of shots through the final 10 minutes of action, the Anchormen came up short against the Hawks for the third straight season.

In what proved to be a physical game on both ends, Rhode Island College committed 26 fouls, compared to just 13 for RWU. The Anchormen also received three yellow cards, while the Hawks drew one yellow card.

Morgan made three saves in net for R.I.C, while Moura (1-1-2) made one. Pelloso (4-0) stopped five shots for RWU in the win.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College hits the road to face Endicott on Tuesday night (7 p.m.).

- Release courtesy of the Rhode Island College Sports Information Department

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Players Mentioned

#25 Cooper Allebrand: MF/B; 5' 10"; Junior

#18 Trevor Hoxsie: F; 6' 0"; Senior

#1 Jon Pelloso: GK; 5' 11"; Senior

#14 James Sheldon: F; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#7 Ryan Sharby: MF/B; 5' 11"; Freshman

#17 Trevor Sparda: MF; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#25 Cooper Allebrand
: 5' 10"; Junior
: MF/B

#18 Trevor Hoxsie
: 6' 0"; Senior
: F

#1 Jon Pelloso
: 5' 11"; Senior
: GK

#14 James Sheldon
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: F

#7 Ryan Sharby
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: MF/B

#17 Trevor Sparda
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: MF