The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team faced two opponents this past weekend, hosting both Virginia Commonwealth University and Brown University.
The rain was pouring on the URI Soccer Complex on Saturday night, and cold weather added to the difficult playing conditions.
Rhode Island started their pressure early in the first half, launching three shots on goal from the second to seventh minute. However, only third-year Jason Morrill landed his on net, but it was saved by the goalkeeper.
Five minutes later, third-year Brandon Bermingham found the net with a shot, but once again the keeper was able to get it front of the strike and negate the chance.
VCU stumbled upon their first opportunity several minutes later in the 18th minute, however the shot from third-year Jonathan Kanagwa was tipped away from the top right corner by third-year goaltender Edu Rodriguez, keeping the score at 0-0.
Rhode Island returned fire soon after; Bermingham knocked one on target in the 25th minute but fourth-year goaltender John Ermimi got in front of the strike. Then, fourth-year Kevin Casteneda drilled a low shot that Ermimi blocked as well.
VCU followed by flipping the field and controlling play for a few minutes. The visitors compiled four shot attempts in the final 10 minutes of the half. First-year Andrey Salmeron drove a low shot that was saved by Rodriguez. Then, second-year Gerardo Castillo missed the net high and found the net on the second attempt but it was swatted away by Rodriguez.
Third-year William Hitchcock continued the barrage with a strike to the bottom right corner, but Rodriguez was there once again to keep the ball out of the net for a fourth save of the half. Salmeron had the final chance but his attempt never reached the goal, and the half ended the way it began, in a 0-0 tie.
The second half of the contest displayed all of the drama. The first 18 minutes of action were played mostly in the middle third, as neither team was able to start runs of their own. However in the 63rd minute, third-year Damian Gallegos found his way into the box and beat Rodriguez with a low shot for the match’s debut goal, giving VCU a 1-0 lead.
Nearly 20 minutes later, URI was given a chance to strike back in the 82nd minute and they did. Bermingham received a cross in from the left side and headed the ball over the keeper and into the back of the net. The goal served as a tally for Bermingham in his fourth straight contest, and just like that Rhode Island had equalized the contest at 1-1.
The drama waned on for the ensuing minutes before VCU dribbled in a heart breaker in front of the home crowd. Second-year Papa Toure received a pass at the top of the box and snuck the shot into the top right corner to give VCU the lead 2-1 in the 87th minute.
In a last-ditch effort, the Rams sent their men up and put themselves out of position for the VCU counter-attack. This allowed an 89th minute tally by second-year Andres Rodriguez to bring the teams to their final score of 3-1, with VCU on top.
Following the match, URI Head Coach Gareth Elliot spoke on his thoughts about the team’s showing, and his hopes for the squad in the coming games.
“[We] just have to defend better,” Elliot said. “You can’t expect to do well in the game of soccer when you give up so many goals… It just doesn’t work out. So, We need to focus on everyone working hard defensively, getting behind the ball and getting a few more shutouts and finish with a few wins.”
Bermingham also spoke postgame about his recent scoring stretch after missing the beginning of the year to injury.
“I feel good, obviously I was coming back from an injury for a few months, I really sprained my ankle,” Bermingham said. “So I’m happy to be back, the result tonight though was a bit of a shame. So hopefully we can pick ourselves back up and go again Tuesday against Brown.”
Following the loss, the Rams stayed on their home turf for a matchup against in-state rival Brown on Tuesday night.
The first half of the contest was slow, with only two shots on goal in the entire first half. First-year Lorenzo Amaral had a chance from a sharp angle on the right side but shot it right into the arms of Rodriguez in the ninth minute.
Following shortly after, Casteneda drilled a low shot from outside the top of the box, but fourth-year goalkeeper Hudson Blatteis was there to make the stop.
The second half started the same way as the first half ended, with both teams trapped in the midfield. However, Bermingham broke the ice with a shot on goal in the 60th minute. Subsequently, third-year Íñigo Etxegarai added to the tally with a shot in the 63rd minute. Both shots were saved by Blatteis.
In the 66th minute, fourth-year Kojo Dadzie nearly tallied the go-ahead goal from just inside the box. However, the ball curved just away from the net and the score remained at 0-0.
After those several chances, a few more arose but none brought about extreme drama until the 78th minute, when Casteneda’s left foot from the right side of the box just missed the crossbar by a matter of inches, sending the crowd into a frenzy of exasperation.
The final chance for Rhode Island came in the 88th minute when fourth-year Rafa Villanueva nearly scored the goal of the year. A cross from the right side set up Villanueva from around seven yards out when he rose up and uncorked a bicycle kick that sailed towards the right side of the goal. However, at the last second, Blatteis dove through the air and knocked the ball away as the home crowd groaned in frustration.
The game ended at the 90th minute mark with the same score as the first minute, a 0-0 draw. The Rams are back in action on Saturday when they host Loyola Chicago in their final home match of the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.