BRISTOL, R.I. – Hosting their playoff game in seven years, the second-seeded Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team did not disappoint the home faithful, as they got an 85^th minute score from Ryan Miller (Hillsdale, N.J.) to hold off the seventh-seed Wentworth Institute of Technology, 2-1 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Quarterfinals at Bayside Field on Saturday afternoon. Miller picked a great time for his first two goals of the season for the Hawks, as he provided the scoring and the defense took care of the rest, containing one of the most potent offenses in the conference to just six shots on goal on the afternoon in the win.  
 
With the victory, RWU avenges their loss to the Leopards in the CCC Tournament in 2019 and advance to the semifinals round for the second time in the James Greenslit era as they improve to 11-6-3 on the season. On the other side, Wentworth's season ends with a record of 10-10-0.
 
Jack Avellar (Orleans, Mass) was great for Roger Williams in the game, making five saves while allowing just one goal to improve to 6-1-3 on the season. Robbie West (Weymouth, Mass.) got the nod for the Leopards and allowed a pair of goals despite making four saves, taking the loss to end the season 6-7-0.
 
The Hawks now advance to play a semifinals contest on their home turf for the first time since 2012 as they will invite Salve Regina University to town for a second-round contest on Tuesday evening.
 
Hawk Highlights
Ryan Miller: 2 goals (GW), 2 shots, 2 shots on goal
Matt Bagley: 1 assist
Javi Beltran: 6 shots, 4 shots on goal
 
Jack Avellar: 5 saves, 1 goal allowed, 90:00 minutes in goal
 
For The Opponents
Juan Cedeno: 1 goal, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Eddie Smith: 1 assist, 2 shots, 0 shots on goal
Erik Treble: 1 assist, 1 shot, 0 shots on goal
 
Robbie West: 4 saves, 2 goals allowed, 90:00 minutes in goal
 
How It Happened
Roger Williams had some terrific scoring chances early on in this one thanks to some overly physical play by Wentworth. First, in the eighth minute, RWU got a free kick from about 20 yards away beyond the top-left intersection of the 18-yard box but off that chance, the Hawks ran a play to try and get some cutters moving towards the net and they did not get a shot from it. Then in the 14^th minute, they got another couple free kicks from good spots, one from straight away just beyond the 18, then another from the same spot as the first free kick but the first shot was blocked by the defense and the second opportunity flew high and the game remained scoreless.
 
Once again, it looked like RWU would take the lead in the 40^th minute. Javi Beltran (Madrid, Spain) sent a crossing pass into the box, but Ryan Miller (Hillsdale, N.J.) slipped on the ball and could not get a shot off despite having a good look at the net. The ball remained loose and, in the chaos, the Hawks got a couple shots away but the attempts by Geno Kennedy (Duxbury, Mass.) and Jack Wildermann (Madison, Conn.) were blocked.
 
Roger Williams finally broke through in the 52^nd minute though. Matt Bagley (Trumbull, Conn.) intercepted a short pass by the Leopards around mid-pitch, and he turned and dashed down the left sideline before sending a crossing pass to Miller on the weak side from about 12 yards away off the left post. Miller went into a slide and redirected the ball into the bottom left corner of the net for his first goal of the season to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
 
Wentworth took more shots in the first half, firing nine against seven for RWU. However, the Hawks did an excellent job limiting the good looks at the net for the guests, as the Leopards took just one shot on frame against five for RWU.
 
In the 74^th minute, Wentworth got even. Off of a throw-in on the Roger Williams defensive end, Erik Treble (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) headed a pass to Eddie Smith (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) who sent a back pass towards the middle of the field. There it found Juan Cedeno (North Andover, Mass.) and he chipped it into the back of the net to tie things at one.
 
RWU nearly jumped in front again in the 79^th minute. They got a run down the side leading to a good look for Beltran, but his shot was saved. Off the rebound, Jack Wetzel (Northport, N.Y.) got a great chance with Wentworth goalie Robbie West (Weymouth, Mass.) out of position, but in an incredible defensive play, Alex Moore (Salem, Conn.) got a head on it, making a defensive save and keeping the game tied.
 
That set the stage for Miller again in the 85^th minute. After gathering a loose ball in the upper left quadrant of the 18-yard box, he settled and turned inside to rifled a shot with his left foot through the defense and into the bottom left part of the goal for the go-ahead score, his second of the game and the season.
 
From there, RWU held off Wentworth's attempts to get the game to overtime and survived to advance to the semifinals.
 
Overall, the shot attempts were even with 14 for each team though Roger Williams took more shots on goal 8-6. The Leopards took more corner kicks, 5-2, but also were called for more fouls, 19-7.
 
What's Next
The Hawks (11-6-3) advance to host Salve Regina University (10-5-3) for a semifinals dual on Tuesday evening at Bayside Field, kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.