The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team (3-6-1) suffered their fourth and fifth consecutive losses, all by one goal, with a score line of 2-1 against Brown University on Saturday night, and Bryant University on Tuesday night.
The Brown game quickly went awry for Rhode Island, following a goal in the 16th minute. The Rams answered back just before halftime as senior defender and captain Wesley Matthews knocked in a corner off the foot of freshman Peder Kristiansen in the 39th minute. A deadlocked first half indicated that URI would be engaged in another hard-fought battles.
The Rams played stalwart defense following the break, while also out-shooting Brown in the second half 11-2. For all of the opportunities the Rams had, they were unable to tack on a second goal, as Brown goalkeeper Erik Hanson was impenetrable the rest of the way with seven saves in the game.
With the game tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, extra time was needed to decide a winner. URI’s eight shots on goal in the game gave them chances to clinch their first home victory of the season, but again they fell short. Matthew Chow took advantage of a well-timed pass from teammate Nate Pomeroy in the 93rd minute to put the game away early on in extra time.
“We aren’t feeling too good after this one,” head coach Gareth Elliott said. “It has been a few tough close losses at home recently against Connecticut and Albany where we played really well, but could not finish. Tonight in particular we did not play our best, but we had chances to put the game away and we were not able to.”
The Rams were desperate to turn things around against Bryant as they were in danger of entering conference play already in a significant hole.
We need to focus on our next match against Bryant,” Elliott said. “Although they are currently 0-7, they have been competitive in every game they have played. It is usually a scrappy match against them.”
The Rams made the trip to Smithfield, Rhode Island to face Bryant University who had never beaten URI going into the match. Bryant was first on the board just before the 21st minute when Jake Lamar powered home a header past Rhode Island goalkeeper Nils Leifhelm by way of a free kick from teammate George Gill.
URI would immediately respond when freshman Stavros Zarokostas tied up the score in the 24th minute after he hit in a shot from a cross field pass by redshirt junior Dante Lamb for his team- leading third goal of the season.
In the second half, URI held Bryant to a 1-1 draw up until the 57th minute. Bryant’s Curtin Orth lined up for a free kick curling it into the top corner of the net for the would-be game-winner.
It was a physical match for both sides as Bryant was issued 18 fouls and Rhode Island was called for 15, both sides also received yellow cards.
URI, still in search of their first home win, will begin Atlantic 10 conference play on Saturday when they host Davidson College at 7:00 p.m.