A turbulent 2023 season ultimately ended in disappointment for the University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team on Saturday, who were eliminated from postseason contention for the second straight year in a scoreless draw with Loyola Chicago.
Although the Rams still have one more match left to play in the 2023 season, two wins in their final two conference games were a must in order to lock in their eighth playoff berth in 11 years under head coach Gareth Elliott. In a second-straight scoreless game that saw direct goal scoring threats come few and far between for both sides, season-long shortcomings in the attacking third once again cost the hosts, according to Elliott.
“We weren’t sharp enough in the final third, it’s sort of haunted us a little but this year,” Elliott said. “That final pass, that final cross, that final shot, that moment of magic just wasn’t there enough for us this year.”
Although the match ultimately ended in a stalemate, two of Rhode Island’s three shots on goal came within the first three minutes, forcing a pair of early saves from Loyola’s first-year goalkeeper Aidan Crawford. On the other end, Rhode Island third-year Edu Rodriguez was also tested early between the sticks, palming away a curling free kick at his near post from just outside the top left corner of the box to keep the game scoreless after just four minutes – one of two saves he had in the opening stretch. A hectic first five minutes proved to be the most active for both teams in the attack through the first half, who otherwise struggled to gain momentum going forward, taking a combined five shots on goal.
Midway through the half, Loyola began to pick up steam on offense, possessing the majority of the ball in their attacking third. However, Rhode Island’s defense remained resolute, limiting the visitors to only six shots in the first half, three of which found the target. The Ramblers nearly had the breakthrough 20 minutes into the half when a low through ball cut through the Rhode Island defense, but first-year defender Brett Schwab slid in at the last second in the center of the 18, going to ground and stripping the ball from the Loyola attack just yards from goal.
The move kicked off an onslaught on Loyola chances through the next seven minutes, continuing with a shot from distance that was deflected behind the goal with 20 minutes to play. The Ramblers came within inches of taking advantage on the resulting corner, sending an inswinging ball to Rodriguez’s near post that Rhode Island initially struggled to clear. The result was yet another follow-up shot from inside the box that powered its way past Rodriguez and nailed the crossbar, denying the visitors their best chance of the night.
The move did not end there for Loyola, who quickly lapped up the rebound and sent another shot from distance on goal, this time forcing Rodriguez into a quick low save to his right. The shot was Loyola’s first on goal since the opening minutes, but the URI shot-stopper got down in time at full stretch and palmed the strike out for a corner.
It was off of the resulting corner where the Ramblers did eventually find the back of the net, but their celebrations were short-lived. A goalmouth scramble from the corner ultimately ended in Loyola’s fourth-year Julian Cisneros tapping the ball into the back of the net from point-blank range, but the goal was flagged back for offsides to send the teams into the break scoreless.
Both sides exchanged a pair of shots early in the second half, but it was Loyola who once again came closest to the go-ahead goal. Just two minutes into the half, their quick passing buildup was rewarded with a bouncing shot from the right side of the box that made its way past Rodriguez before being headed away at the goal line by first-year Joseph Mwamba.
The chance was as close as either side would get to goal in the second half. The closing 45 minutes saw only eight combined shots, with Rodriguez making two saves to Crawford’s one.
The singular save from Crawford came with 31 minutes to play when third-year midfielder Patrick Gryczewski launched his only shot of the night, a strike from distance into the top left corner that forced a full-stretch fingertip save over the bar.
16 minutes later, Rhode Island had a chance to shift the momentum and capitalize on the break when fourth-year Rafa Villanueva won the ball in the midfield before sending third-year Isak Oystese streaking down the right side. With space to run but few options available, the forward instead elected to take a shot from distance that ultimately sailed over Crawford’s crossbar.
“We haven’t played the best we can in the last games, it hasn’t been a really good season for us,” Villanueva said. “We were defending, trying to stop all the balls that the attackers were coming to us [with]. I think we needed more attackers.”
Oystese nearly got on the end of a Castaneda cross in open space at the far post with eight minutes to play, but the low cross was just too far for his outstretched legs in the box. With the exception of a last-minute blocked shot, that would be all URI could muster in the final stages as their 2023 home slate ended in a scoreless draw, officially ending their postseason hopes for the second straight year.
Despite the disappointing result, Elliott spoke positively about the team’s defensive effort all season following their ninth shutout in 15 games.
“It has been tough from the start, but I think the guys have endured and put the work in regardless of some of the challenges we’ve had,” Elliott said. “As you see in the second half there tonight, they kept fighting until the end and I give them credit for that. A lot of times if you get on a little bit of a losing streak and things aren’t really going your way, sometimes people quit. This group hasn’t quit.”
In search of a strong finish to their 2023 campaign, the Rams will hit the road one last time on Saturday as they travel to Davidson for a 1 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.