Men's soccer travels to GW for Sat. game

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Hitting the road for the third straight game, the Bryant University men's soccer team travels to Washington, D.C. for an afternoon matchup against George Washington University on Saturday, Sept. 17.  Game time is set for 1 p.m.

After battling MAAC foe Rider University to a 1-1 draw last Sunday (Sept. 11), the Bulldogs (0-2-1) will be looking for their first victory of the season.  The Colonials (1-2-1) emerged victorious for the first time this season during their last outing, when they blanked USC Upstate, 1-0, in the Coastal Carolina Invitational.

While Bryant has only found the back of the net once through three games, it has been the defense that has stepped up in the limited action that the team has seen.  The Bulldogs' five goals allowed through three games ranks fifth in the Northeast Conference, highlighted by sophomore George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) posting a 1.55 goals against average and a .706 save percentage while logging 290 minutes between the pipes. 

After being shutout in the first two games of the year, Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y. ) was awarded a penalty kick in the 16^th minute of the first half against the Broncs last Sunday, and the senior captain converted to put Bryant temporarily in front, 1-0, on the Bulldogs' first strike of the 2011 campaign.  Dan Friga tied the game seven minutes later, however, and that would account for all of the scoring in 110 minutes of play.  Rider held a 16-12 advantage in shots attempted, but Spanos recorded a season-high six saves to keep the game knotted at 1-1.  Angelo Caputi (Guayaquil, Ecuador) led all Bulldogs with four shots on target in that game.

The Colonials' lone victory this season came last Sunday against USC Upstate.  Sophomore Alex Sandland headed home the game-winner in the 39^th minute off a cross from classmate Andrew Aluko, and junior netminder Alejandro Almodovar earned his first shutout of the season, posting a pair of saves late in the game to keep the Spartans off the board.  Both Almodovar and Aluko, along with Brice Carr, were named to the CCU All-Tournament Team following that contest.  It was the 192^nd victory for head coach George Lidster, who will hang up the whistle after this season following 24 years with the program.

Seth Rudolph leads GW on the offensive end of the pitch, totaling two goals on nine shots, while Yoni Berhanu has tallied one marker on a team-high 15 shots attempted.  Almodovar has split time in net with Brendan Lafferty.  The former has posted a 1-1-0 overall record while boasting a 1.00 GAA, while Lafferty has logged 200 minutes over two starts, and holds a 1.80 GAA with a .600 save percentage.

The Black and Gold will return to the home pitch for the first time since the season-opener on Tuesday, Sept. 20, for its only non-league match in Smithfield this season.  The Bulldogs will host Army for an afternoon affair.  Game time is set for 4 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Bryant men's soccer, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.