Men’s Soccer prevails in OT over RIC

Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team defeated in-state rival Rhode Island College 2-1 in a thrilling overtime contest Saturday afternoon.

The Hawk offense came out aggressive early on in the first period, with the team nearly putting across the first score of the game in the tenth minute. Dan Kelly (Miller Place, N.Y.) came through with a nice pass to James Sheldon (Amherst, N.H.) in the box. Sheldon had a one-on-one opportunity with RIC goalie Adam Ghazal (Pawtucket, R.I.), but Ghazal was able to save the head-on shot. Kelly followed the loose ball and stepped up with a shot of his own, but Ghazal made another crucial save to keep the game scoreless.

Five minutes later, it would be Sheldon coming down the left sideline, bending a pass to the middle to Tyler Peckham (Coventry, R.I.). Peckham tried to go to the far post for the goal, but Ghazel came through again with the save.

Rhode Island College capitalized on its shot opportunity of the day in the 17th minute. Jose Zarraga (Providence, R.I.) fed a pass to Emmanuel Asiedu (Albion, R.I.), who headed in a goal to the right corner for a 1-0 Anchorman lead.

RIC's lead lasted for the remainder of the first period, but the Hawks were able to knot the game at one shortly into the second half. In the 52nd minute, Kelly sent a through pass up the middle to Andrew Carlson (Ridgefield, Conn.), who was able to beat the defense. Rather than pulling a tight shot into the inside corner, Carlson sent the ball back across the box to a trailing Sheldon, who put the ball in the middle of the goal for his first score of the year.

Asiedu nearly regained the lead for the Anchormen in the 62nd minute, dribbling around two Hawk defenders to get a shot off. However, his attempt stayed just outside the right post. Seven minutes later, Kevin Arboleda (Pawtucket, R.I.) had a great look at a goal, going one-on-one with Hawk keeper Tom Mangels (Garden City, N.Y.). Yet his attempt at chipping over Mangels went high.

Neither team would be able to break the tie in regulation, sending the match to overtime. In the extra period, Asiedu had two attempts in the early part of the frame, the first of which was deflected off of a Hawk defender. His second shot just missed over the net by a couple of feet.

The Hawks tried to make their runs in overtime, but got a bit overaggressive, getting called for offsides three times. However, their persistence paid off in the 96th minute. Sheldon made a cross into the middle to a waiting Peckham, who sent the shot in for the golden goal.

Mangels had six saves for the Hawks in the win, while Ghazal had three saves for RIC in the loss.

Roger Williams will wrap up its five-game homestand Wednesday against Wesleyan College, while Rhode Island College hosts WPI next, also on Wednesday.

Print Friendly Version