The University of Rhode Island men’s soccer team’s season came to an end on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Saint Louis University, putting it on the outside looking in at the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament.
Coming into this game, there were significant implications for URI, as it needed a win to have a chance at making the eight-team playoff.
The Rams had their work cut out for them. Coming into Hermann Stadium, they would have to be road warriors against a tough Saint Louis team that was undefeated in conference play.
In the first half, with the stakes high, both teams went at it. Saint Louis picked up a yellow card early in the 34th minute from second-year Andrew Heckenlaible. Rhode Island struck first just before halftime at the 40th minute when first-year Sinan Bruning found the back of the net; just like that, the Rams found themselves in front 1-0 in the biggest game of their season.
After the goal, Rhode Island could not celebrate for long as a yellow card was called on third-year Takumi Kumakura. The Billikens outshot the Rams 7-4 in the first half, but URI was able to hold its ground going into halftime.
As the second half got underway, Saint Louis responded quickly with a goal from third-year Tanner Anderson to knot the game up 1-1 and put the pressure back on URI.
Both teams continued to battle, fight and scrap for the lead as the second half went on. Rhode Island found itself with a couple more yellow cards in the 50th minute from fourth-year Joan Sanchis and in the 67th minute from first-year Maksim Kalina.
The Rams had some opportunities to score near the end, but by the time the whistle had sounded, this game ended with a 1-1 tie, and the Rams were left in heartbreak as their season came to an end.
“In the last 15 minutes, we changed our system a bit and created a lot of chances,” URI Head Coach Gareth Elliott said. “We just couldn’t get one to drop, and anytime you go on the road, it’s difficult, so maybe another day we find a winner late in the game.”
Despite its season coming to an end, Rhode Island has a bright future with a lot of young guys on its roster who will look to continue to improve in the offseason and develop moving forward, according to Elliott.
“We had a really young team,” Elliott said. “Some games we were starting six freshmen, and a lot of the freshmen got to play this year, so that will help us moving forward.”
Rhode Island will now head into the offseason with hopes of improving next season and making a future run at the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
