BRYANT MEN’S SOCCER DROPS 2-1 DECISION AT NEW HAMPSHIRE IN OVERTIME

Sept. 22, 2010

BRYANT MEN'S SOCCER DROPS 2-1 DECISION AT NEW HAMPSHIRE IN OVERTIME

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Senior Erik Lekstrom (Worcester, Mass.) knocked in the game-tying goal early in the second half, but the Bryant University men's soccer team couldn't hold on as the Bulldogs fell at New Hampshire, 2-1, in overtime Wednesday night.

The opening half featured a battle between the Wildcat offense and the Bulldog defense as New Hampshire recorded 12 shots in the first stanza. Bryant (2-4) countered with the impressive play of senior keeper Victor Tutino (Deer Park, N.Y.) who went on to record a season-high 11 saves in the contest.

New Hampshire (3-0-2) took a 1-0 lead in the 44^th minute on a goal scored by Jon Harris after taking a pass from Brad Hilton and hitting the top left corner to beat Tutino.

The Wildcats maintained the one goal lead heading into the break but the Bulldogs regrouped in the second half as Lekstrom scored the equalizer in the 54^th minute. The senior scored from the middle of the box, capitalizing on a rebounded shot to beat Wildcat keeper Colin O'Donnell.

The Black and Gold stepped up defensively for the rest of regulation to keep the score even while the offense continued to pressure the Wildcat backline, taking seven shots in the second half after just one in the first.    

Coach Purcell's squad was able to force overtime but Hilton hit the game-winner in the 92^nd minute on a 30-yard strike following a pass from Steven Palumbo.

Bryant received strong offensive production from senior Sean Kaukas (Glastonbury, Conn.) who led the Bulldogs with three shots, all of which were on target.

The Bulldogs were outshot in the contest by a margin of 21-8 and lost the battle for corner kicks, 7-2.

The Bryant University men's soccer team opens Northeast Conference play on Friday, October 1, hosting Robert Morris at 2:00 p.m.