BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team picked up a hard-fought Conference of New England (CNE) win against Suffolk on Saturday afternoon, 3-2, on Bayside Field.
Roger Williams outshot Suffolk 20-7 on the day, also leading 8-3 on goal. The Hawks also led the advantage on corner kicks, 6-2. It was a physical game, with Roger Williams tallying 12 fouls and Suffolk tallying seven. Roger Williams was issued two yellow cards and one red card on Dylan Thomas (Norwalk, Conn.). Suffolk was issued five yellows and one red card on Diego Pierantozzi.
The Hawks came out firing in the first half with six shots in the first twenty minutes. Suffolk would survive and fight back to earn a free kick that would be scored by Francisco Valck. The shooting from both teams would stall as the first half ended with the Rams up 1-0.
As the second half started, the Rams kept their momentum with a quick goal in the 49th minute by Diego Pierantozzi with an assist from Francisco Valck. However, Pierantozzi would receive a red card after the fact.
Now playing against ten men, the Hawks started to apply pressure and attack Suffolk's back line. Max Patenaude (Pepperell, Mass.) lit the hopes of a comeback as he scored in the 55th minute with an assist from Dylan Robbins (Johnston, R.I.). The Rams would continue to feel the pressure with three more quick shots by the Hawks in the next ten minutes.
The Hawks tied it up, 2-2, when Tyler Jastrab (Townsend, Mass.) found the back of the net in the 64th minute, with an assist by Noah Massotti (Douglas, Mass.) and Liam Blaisdell (Plymouth, Mass.). With the momentum shifted towards the Hawks, the attack would continue as they would shoot seven more attempts at the Ram's goal towards the 80th minute.
With just ten minutes left in the game, Thomas stepped up and sealed it with a game winning goal in the 81st minute. The Hawks closed out the game with a 3-2 conference win.
Roger Williams (9-0-4, 4-0-1 CNE) will continue conference play traveling to Curry on Tuesday, Oct. 14th before hosting Hartford on Saturday, Oct. 18th during Roger Williams' Homecoming & Family Weekend. Suffolk (8-3-2, 3-2 CNE) will look to get back in the win column against University of New England on Tuesday, Oct. 14th and will then host Gordon on Saturday, Oct. 18th.
