Bryant men's soccer falls 1-0 to URI

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer game fell in heartbreaking fashion in Friday afternoon's season opener, dropping a 1-0 decision to the University of Rhode Island in the opening round of the second annual Ocean State Soccer Classic at Bulldog Stadium.

With both teams scoreless in the 89th minute of the contest, Joey Haught (Brecksville, Ohio) came away with a loose ball off a set piece from Mike Casey (Wakefield, R.I.) just outside the six-yard box, where he buried it in the upper-left 90 to send the Rams (1-2-0) to the championship game on Monday (Sept. 5) in Kingston, R.I., where they will face Providence.  The Bulldogs (0-1-0) will vie for the consolation prize against No. 11 Brown, who fell 1-0 to the Friars in the tournament's other opening-round game.

Both teams played a very physical game, with over 40 fouls being called between the two in-state rivals.  Bryant ammassed 25 fouls on the game - including four yellow cards - while the Rams totaled 16 fouls.

The Bulldogs were unable to capitalize with a man-up advantage for the last 19 minutes of the game, after URI's Matt Sykes (Sheffield, England) was warranted his second yellow card in the 71st minute.  The freshman preseason Atlantic-10 All-Rookie selection had already received a caution back in the eighth minute of the first half.

Bryant had a number of chances, garnering 17 shots altogether, but all seven on net were turned aside by senior netminder Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, Kan.).  George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) made three saves in net for the Bulldogs.

In the fifth minute of the game, Bryant barely missed jumping out to a 1-0 lead after senior forward Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) ripped a shot off the crossbar that bounced straight down, but appeared not to cross the line.  URI nearly returned the favor five minutes later after a shot deflected off the crossbar and then off of a Bryant player, before rolling ominously toward the empty net and deflecting off the right post and out of harm's way.

The Bulldogs had another great chance in the 20th minute, when striker Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) sent a shot on from the 12-yard box that Warwick got just enough of.  The freshman registered a team-high two shots on goal in his collegiate debut.

Late in the game, Bryant mounted a pair of scoring chances - including a 1-on-1 breakaway with under ten minutes to go - but both shots were just off target to keep the game scoreless.

Bryant will look to upset No. 11 Brown in the consolation game of the Ocean State Soccer Classic on Monday afternoon at the URI Soccer Complex.  Game time is set for 5 p.m.