October 27, 2008
MEN'S SOCCER CONCLUDES FIRST SEASON OF DIVISION I PLAY
SMITHFIELD, RI- The Bryant University men's soccer team concluded its inaugural season of Division I play with a, 4-0, loss at Albany Saturday. After 38 years of Division II play, the Bulldogs took the first step in a four-year transition period this season. The squad finished the season with a 1-14-1 record, playing a brutal schedule that included two top-25 opponents (Brown and Providence) as well as trips to Old Dominion, James Madison, Pittsburgh, Richmond, and Virginia Commonwealth.
After starting off the season with back-to-back losses at Marquette and at VCU, the Bulldogs grabbed their first Division I win on September 7th with a, 2-0, victory over Richmond. Senior captain Manny Rodriguez (North Branford, Conn.) scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal in the 27th minute of play. Freshman Ben Mello (Rehoboth, Mass.) put home his first career goal in the contest on a goal off a corner kick in the 56th minute to give Bryant some insurance, as they went on to a 2-0 win.
Bryant would continue to play teams tough, including falling to Pittsburgh 2-1 in overtime followed by a 0-0 tied against Robert Morris. Bryant would close out the season with 11-straight losses, mustering just one goal the rest of the way.
Rodriguez and Mello would tie for the team lead in points with four, each scoring a pair of goals. Freshman Robb Rodriguez (North Branford, Conn.) tallied one goal and one assist on the season, placing him third on the team, while fellow freshmen Anthony Restivo (Lisbon, Conn.) and Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) each notched one assist.
Freshman defender Cuinn Nevins (Cheshire, Conn.) and forward Ben Mello each had their seasons cut short due to injuries. Mello started eight games, playing in nine before suffering a knee injury, while Nevins ruptured his spleen in the third game of the season.
Head coach Seamus Purcell had a young squad this year that featured 14 freshmen and seven sophomores. Freshman defender Ethan Friedman (Massapequa, N.Y.) became a staple on the defense, appearing in nine games while starting the final six. Outside back Ben Lawrence (Amherst, N.H.) impressed many with his aggressive play, starting 14 games for Bryant while appearing in 15. Keeper Andrew Snell (South Salem, N.Y.) led the team in goals against average, surrendering 2.68 goals per game while making 33 saves in eight appearances.
Midfielder Tom Nelan (East Haddam, Conn.) improved each game this season, and was a main target in the middle, winning the majority of headers.
Sophomore Norbert Guery (Andover, Mass.) made the change from forward to sweeper after Nevins went down with an injury and did a solid job in the back. Manny Rodriguez also made the switch to defensive center midfield to help sure up the Bulldog defense.
Purcell will have the task of replacing seniors Matt Brown (South Easton, Mass.) and Manny Rodriguez in the off-season. Brown tallied 11 career goals while dishing out three assists in three seasons with the Bulldogs, leading the team in scoring in the 2007 season. Rodriguez played 65 matches over four seasons, scoring 14 goals and two assists, good for 26 points in his career.
The Bulldogs will have some time off before getting ready for their 2009 spring season and their second year of Division I play.
