Orth’s free kick in the 57th minute gives Bulldogs first victory of the year and over Rams, 2-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team got its first lead of the season 20 minutes into the contest, only to let in the equalizer three minutes later, but a new formation and a sense of urgency allowed it to find the game winner in the second half, as it knocked off the University of Rhode Island for the first time in Tuesday's 2-1 win.

The Bulldogs (1-7) took advantage of playing the Rams (3-6-1), their first opponent not ranked in the top 25 or receiving votes in over two weeks. The Black and Gold were ranked 137 in RPI heading into the contest due to the success of the previous three matchups, its highest RPI ranking in its Division I history.  

Head coach Seamus Purcell deployed a new formation to push the ball forward and get more activity from the midfield and the wings. The tactics paid off, as Bryant had five shots in each frame and a pair of corners in the first half.

Following a Rhode Island foul just in front of midfield, freshman midfielder George Gill (Cork, Munster, Ireland) calmly launched the ball into the box in the 21st minute. He placed it wonderfully about 10 yards out, as senior defender Jake Lamar (New Haven, Conn.) leaped and won the ball to head it to the left post. It was the first lead the Bulldogs have had all year and the first opening-half goal they have scored.

The lead did not last long, however, as the Rams moved forward in dire search for an equalizer immediately after. Dante Lamb sent a low shot from 30 yards less than a minute after the goal, but it was saved with relative ease by junior Nick Stewart (South Windsor, Conn.). It was his first save of the game, but he would be tested just two minutes later, as Lamb took a free kick from the near right wing and launched it into the Bryant box. The ball was sent with a fantastic touch, it went over the Bulldogs backline and met the feet of a sliding Stavros Zarokostas, who finished to the near post in the 25th minnute.

Both sides had a couple of chances over the final 21 minutes, including a shot that just sailed high from the top of the box courtesy of senior forward Curtis Orth (Ancaster, Ont.), but nothing could find the net.

Orth and the Bulldogs did not need many opportunities in the second half to retake the lead. A hard foul from just outside the box set up a prime chance for the hosts in the 57th minute. Orth stood over the ball, struck it with his right foot and bent it upper 90 just past the hands of a diving Nils Leifhelm to put Bryant up, 2-1.

Rhode Island was again forced to press forward and test the Bulldog defense and Stewart over the next 20 minutes, as it fired off five of the next six shots. Two were blocked and three were saved by Stewart, who had made just one save in the opening half. Niklas Middrup, Lamb and Wesley Matthews each had excellent opportunities from inside the box, but Stewart was up for the three challenges and made body saves on each instance.

Despite having just one two shots on target in the second half, the two could have gone for goals. Just over 22 minutes following Orth's score, junior Thomas Binder (Vienna, Austria) received a bicycle kick pass from David Abunaw (West Hartford, Conn.) at midfield. Binder broke free, got himself into the box for a one-on-one with the keeper, but Leifhelm stopped the shot that was struck towards the near post to preserve the 2-1 score.

Although they were unable to get the insurance goal, the Bulldogs' defense stepped up down the stretch. The Rams fired off four shots in the final five minutes, but one sailed wide and three were blocked, as the Bulldogs held on for their first win of the season and first victory over URI (1-4-2).

Orth's first goal of the year was one of his two shots to pace the Bryant attack. Gill had two shots to go along with his second assist of the year, while Lamar netted his first goal on the season. Stewart made four stops in the win, three coming in the second half.

Zarokostas had three shots with one on target being the lone Rams' goal. Lamb had two shots on net to pair with his assist and Matthews had two shot attempts. Leifhelm made just two saves in the loss while allowing the two goals.

The Bulldogs will look to carry the momentum of the much-needed win into the non-conference finale when they battle Hartwick on the road on Saturday at 6:00 p.m.