BRISTOL, R.I. — The Roger Williams University men's soccer team built a two-goal first-half lead before Western New England University rallied to earn a 2-2 Conference of New England (CNE) draw Saturday afternoon at Bayside Field.
Roger Williams moved to 4-1-2 overall and 1-0-1 in conference play. Western New England moved to 1-2-3 overall and 0-1-1 in the CNE. The Hawks extended their unbeaten streak to four matches.
Roger Williams held a 15-12 advantage in shots, while Western New England led in shots on goal, 7-6, and corner kicks, 8-6.
Aidan Jennings (San Diego, Calif.) recorded three points, scoring his first goal of the season and assisting on the Hawks' second tally. Brandon Rodriguez (Norwalk, Conn.) tallied a goal for the second time in three matches and finished with two shots on goal.
Dylan Thomas (Norwalk, Conn.) led Roger Williams with three shots, while junior Kevin DeCapua (Old Saybrook, Conn.), seniors Dylan Robbins (Johnston, R.I.) and Ollie Hamilton (North Chittenden, Vt.) each recorded two attempts.
Goalkeeper Eliot Panaccione (Pepperell, Mass.) made five saves after recording four stops in the shutout at Babson.
For Western New England, Tyler Lewis recorded one goal and led the Golden Bears with three shots, including two on goal. Junior Beyoko scored the equalizer, while junior goalkeeper Brendan L'Italien finished with four saves.
Jennings opened the scoring at 11:08, giving Roger Williams a 1-0 advantage. The Hawks doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Rodriguez converted off an assist from Jennings.
Roger Williams carried the 2-0 advantage into halftime after outshooting Western New England, 8-3, during the opening 45 minutes.
The Golden Bears cut the deficit in half at 53:50 when Lewis scored his first goal of the season. Beyoko pulled Western New England level with an unassisted goal at 68:57.
Panaccione stopped Lewis in the 73rd minute to keep the match tied. Roger Williams generated two late opportunities, but L'Italien denied shots from DeCapua and Rodriguez in the closing minutes to preserve the draw.
Roger Williams hosts Endicott College in CNE action Friday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. at Bayside Field.
