Bulldogs draw 1-1 against Knights, falling short of NEC post season play

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team's 1-1 draw against Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon was not enough to propel the Bulldogs into the Northeast Conference Tournament, tallying six points with only one game remaining.

The Bulldogs (3-7-5, 1-2-3) were first on the board in the 16th minute, following a scramble in front of the Knights' goal.  Senior Marco Addonizio (Lynnfield, Mass.) and sophomore Jason Norat (Wilmington, Del.) both found shots in the clamber, but the defense was able to block both attempts. Senior Teddy Spanos (Garden City, N.J.) was able to collect the second rebound and placed it past Knights' goalie Matthew Weigner in the 16th minute.

Fairleigh Dickinson found the equalizer in the 31st minute, when Javen Palmer sent a hard baseline cross from the right side, finding Casey Abelein on the far post for the Knights' finish.  Abelein was able to tuck it just inside the far left post to tally the final, 1-1, score.

The Bulldogs finished the match with 28 shots, while the Knights tallied 15.

Senior Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) logged seven saves, while Weigner managed the same.

The Black and Gold return to play on Sunday, Nov. 8 for senior day against Central Connecticut, beginning at 1 p.m.