Boston, Mass. – In a thrilling, double-overtime contest, the Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team opened the new season with a 1-1 tie against Emerson College at a rainy Rotch Field on Wednesday night. Both squads benefited from some great work in goal as the teams combined for 17 shots on net but only the one score each.
 
Jack Avellar (Orleans, Mass.) started in goal for the Hawks and was rock solid allowing just the one goal against eight shots on net. He was matched, however, by Jacob Ramer (Los Angeles, Calif.) who stopped eight of the nine shots he faced in the contest.
 
The Lions out-shot Hawks in the game, 16-12 but it was RWU who had more quality looks as they had nine shots on goal against eight for Emerson.
 
With the tie, both squads move to 0-0-1 on the season.
 
Hawk Highlights
Matt Bagley (Trumbull, Conn.): 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
Javi Beltran (Madrid, Spain): 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
 
Jack Avellar (Orleans, Mass.): 7 saves, 1 goal allowed, 110:00 minutes in goal
 
For The Opponents
Ben Deeming (Annandale, N.J.): 1 goal, 1 shot, 1 shot on goal
RJ Dziejma (Flanders, N.J.): 1 assist, 6 shots, 2 shots on goal
 
Jacob Ramer (Los Angeles, Calif.): 8 saves, 1 goal allowed, 110:00 minutes in goal
 
How It Happened
This one started out slowly in the first half as the teams combined to only take nine shots, including six shots on goal in the frame.
 
Things got interesting in the second frame, and it would be the Lions who would get on the board first. In the 56^th minute, RJ Dziejma (Flanders, N.J.) found Ben Deeming (Annandale, N.J.) for the opening score.
 
The Hawks were not deterred however, and in the 67^th minute they got the equalizer as sophomore Matt Bagley (Trumbull, Conn.) streaked down the right sideline and scored, unassisted, for the first goal of his collegiate career.
 
Emerson took eight shots in the second half while RWU had five but the shots on net were even at four a side.
 
In the first overtime period neither side even managed a shot, but shots were plentiful in the second overtime. The Lions took four shots with two on goal while Roger Williams attempted two shots with one on net. None of it mattered in the end as both goalies deterred all the attempts against them and the game resulted in a draw.
 
What's Next
Roger Williams will venture to Keene, New Hampshire to participate in the Keene State Tournament beginning on Saturday when they face the hosting Owls. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 PM.