The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team’s match ended in a draw on Saturday in its final home game against Virginia Commonwealth University during family weekend.
This game was crucial for both URI and VCU, as they were separated by only two places in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings entering the night. From the start, the game was chippy on both sides as the teams were playing tough defense and trying to find any chances they could get to score.
VCU fifth-year Camilo Comi got a little too aggressive early on, getting himself a yellow card in just the 23rd minute of the game. Most of the first half was evenly matched, with both teams looking for opportunities, but couldn’t find any as the defenses allowed six total shots.
Heading into halftime, the game remained 0-0, with both teams defending their nets well in the first 45 minutes.
Coming out of halftime, the momentum stayed the same, as Rhode Island and VCU were vying for any chances they could get. Both goalies were on their A-game, particularly URI first-year William Synnestvedt, who made seven saves during the contest to stop the VCU offense from scoring.
“Some shots got through, and I was able to get to them,” Synnestvedt said.
Neither team let off the gas as the clock continued to tick down in the second half. The intensity and aggressiveness kept increasing, with URI and VCU combining for four red and yellow cards in the final 15 minutes.
VCU first-year Luca Estabio was ejected after receiving a red card in the 75th minute for an unsportsmanlike penalty after he argued with a call that he did not agree with.
URI let its frustration get to them as first-year Everson Goglia got a yellow card in the 80th minute, which was followed by third-year Tiago Barriguinha getting a yellow card in the 84th minute and fourth-year Mathias Taylor also receiving a yellow card in the 86th minute.
Down the stretch, URI and VCU were both desperate for the game-winning goal, but neither team could find the back of the net. Both teams had some great opportunities at the end but came up empty, and the game would ultimately finish in a draw at 0-0.
“I just didn’t think we fit enough quality balls in the box or really threatened to create enough chances in front of the goal,” URI Head Coach Gareth Elliott said. “It is about creating opportunities to score, and we can do better in front of the goal.”
Rhode Island’s defense has been a key focal point of why it has been in so many games down the stretch and why it still has a shot at an Atlantic 10 playoff berth, according to Elliott.
“The defense has really stepped up later in the season,” Elliott said. “Defensively, you’ve got to be tight and get one or two moving forward, but the defense was great tonight.”
For Rhode Island, it no longer controls its own destiny for the A-10 Tournament with the draw. The Rams will have to beat or tie top-ranked Saint Louis University, which is undefeated in conference play at 5-0-2, and then also get some help from around the league to get a chance to compete in the A-10 Tournament.
“You have to have energy and toughness,” Synnestvedt said. “We got to work through it as a team and hopefully come out with the win.”
Elliott spoke about the team’s mindset entering the final game against a top conference team with playoff implications on the line.
“They’ve got to be up for the challenge on the road against the No. 1 team,” Elliott said. “Why can’t we beat them? Why not us? We are going to go out there, and play our game, and give it a go.”
Rhode Island will take on Saint Louis in its final regular season match from Hermann Stadium in Saint Louis, Missouri, on Saturday at 7 p.m. The match will stream on ESPN+.
