Bulldogs blank Red Flash for third-straight win Sunday

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – A connection between junior Marco Addonizio (Lynnfield, Mass.) and sophomore Curtis Orth (Ancaster, Ont.) in the fifth minute proved to be the difference for the Bryant University men's soccer team in its 1-0 win over Saint Francis U. Sunday afternoon at Bulldog Soccer Field.

Despite being outshot, 22-6, in the contest, the Bulldogs (6-4-1, 2-0 Northeast Conference) took advantage of their first and best scoring chance of the match to open Northeast Conference play with a 2-0 record for the first time in program history, while the Red Flash (7-5-1, 1-1 NEC) suffer their first loss against a league opponent.

Four minutes Sunday's contest, Orth fired a shot from just inside the 18-yard box, only to be deflected off a Saint Francis defender and perfectly pushed toward Addonizio, who finished the eventual game-winning header at the 4:05 mark in the first half.

Bryant, who is unbeaten in their last five matches (4-0-1), got another clean sheet from junior keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine), his third and the team's fourth of the season. Knaub stopped six Red Flash chances, while directing the stalwart Bulldog backline and Andrew Garcia made a pair of saves in the loss.

Looking ahead, the Black and Gold will take their 2-0 record on the road for the first time since Sept. 14 when they visit Sacred Heart on Saturday for their lone match of the week.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University men's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.