Bulldogs fall to PC, 2-0, Friday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite only being outshot 12-10, the Bryant University men's soccer team fell to Providence College, 2-0, Friday afternoon in its season opener at Bulldog Soccer Field.

Down 1-0 after an early score from Mac Steves, Bryant (0-1) was awarded a penalty kick after PC (1-0) was whistled for a hand ball inside the box in the 61st minute. However, the Bulldogs were unable to convert as Friar goalkeeper Keasel Broome made the second of his two saves on the day.

Aside from the PK opportunity, Bryant's best two scoring chances came from junior forward Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.). In the 31st minute, freshman defender John Conry (Bolton, Mass.) crossed a beautiful ball into the box, finding Larocque who fired a missile toward the Providence goal, right into the hands of Broome. And again in the 60th minute, redshirt sophomore Matt Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.), lofted a pass into the box, finding the head of Larocque, who narrowly missed the equalizer.

In a very physical contest which saw over 20 fouls called, the Bulldogs responded well out of the halftime break, controlling most of the action in the second half after a more PC-dominated first period. However, the Friars closed the door on a possible Bryant comeback when Fabio Machado caught keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) too far out of goal, dishing to Manny Andrade right in front of the net for the score in the 83rd minute.

Looking ahead, Bryant will take Saturday to regroup before making the trip to Durham, N.H., for a showdown with the University of New Hampshire on Sunday at 5 p.m.

For links to live stats and streaming video of Sunday's action and all the latest news on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.