The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team hosted Stony Brook University on Tuesday night in a match that resulted in a 2-2 tie, making the team’s record 1-6-2 on the season.
Rhody snapped their three-game losing streak, as first-year forward/midfielder Kyler Vojvodic contributed two game-tying goals in the second half. This was the second straight game the Rams scored two goals despite the fact that Rhody is averaging just 1.2 goals per game this season.
Second-year goalkeeper William Synnestvedt had the start for URI, making two stops, one of which was in the game’s final six seconds.
Vojvodic led the way with four shots on the night, followed by second-year forward Theo Harris with three.
The Rams came out with offensive urgency in the first half, as Vojvodic and fourth-year defender/midfielder Brett Schwab looked to create chances near the 18-yard box.
“I think there was a little bit of variety,” URI Head Coach Gareth Elliott said. “There were some good services in the box, and there were some good combination plays. I thought there were a lot of opportunities for us to score tonight in a lot of different ways, which is always nice.”
Following the game’s first 15 minutes, URI’s offensive momentum was halted, and the Rams racked up three yellow cards in the remainder of the first half.
The Seawolves got on the board to go up 1-0 in the 35th minute of action, as fourth-year midfielder Ryota Kono received a ball in tight by fourth-year forward Caleb Danquah and buried it in the back of the net.
“ Well, we’ve faced lots of adversity this season, but I think we did a good job bouncing back,” Vojvodic said.
Rhody started off the second half with two corner kicks in the first five minutes of play, forcing Seawolves fourth-year goalkeeper Sandy Rushon to make two saves.
URI kept the pressure on until things finally paid off, as fourth-year midfielder Parker Vasic set up Vojvodic inside the 18-yard box, who put one past Rushon in the bottom right corner to tie things up 1-1 in the 61st minute.
However, the Seawolves had a response just nine minutes later when Kono scored his second goal, set up by first-year forward Ryan Farr.
URI’s third and final corner kick of the game resulted in Vojvodic’s second goal of the game in the 79th minute to tie things back up at 2-2. Third-year midfielder Tiago Barriguinha picked up the assist on the play.
“Honestly, it happened so fast in the moment,” Vojvodic said. “I just got it at the end, and we [had been] practicing this in training, so I just took a touch and shot it.” To end the contest, SBU and URI traded free kicks that landed dangerously close to the 18-yard box, but neither ball went in on net.
After URI’s free kick with less than a minute left was sent back into the midfield by the Seawolves, Synnestvedt had to make a diving stop to run out the clock and end the game.
“Tying at home never feels good,” Elliott said. “You’re trying to win every home game. We’ve been struggling to string together some results this year. But going into playing St. Bonaventure and conference play this weekend, I think there’s a little boost with how we’ve played.”
URI will travel to St. Bonaventure, New York to take on the Bonnies at 7 p.m. on Saturday. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.
