Bulldogs blank Terriers on Senior Day in hard-fought scoreless draw Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team played extremely well for its four-man senior class and nearly handed St. Francis Brooklyn its first Northeast Conference loss, but still remained in contention for a playoff spot with Sunday's 0-0 draw.

The Bulldogs (2-10-3, 1-2-3) held the Terriers (9-4-2, 5-0-1) scoreless in conference for the first time this year, as it marked just the third time that they had not scored all season. Bryant is currently tied with Fairleigh Dickinson and Sacred Heart for the final playoff spot at six points apiece, though both schools hold the tie breaker.

Bryant owned the first half and most of the afternoon from an offensive standpoint, firing off seven shots with three on net compared to just one shot from the Terriers. Freshman James Cochrane (Sandy Hook, Ont.) was a few fingertips away from handing St. Francis its first allowed league goal of the year in the 11th minute. A ball made its way into the box on a free kick, Cochrane sent a strike to the left post, but Roberto Bazzichetto dove to his right and just barely redirected the ball.

Bazzichetto made all three of his first-half saves over the first 14:20 of action, as the defenses limited the looks for much of the afternoon.

Having not played since October 1, junior keeper Nick Stewart (South Windsor, Conn.) was finally tested with a shot on net in the 53rd minute on a hard strike from the top of the box from Djiby Sarr. But Stewart dove to his right and knocked the ball out, giving the Terriers one of their six second-half corners.

Both Stewart and Bazzichetto as well as the backlines played excellent all match on corners and free kicks, quickly punching balls out of the box and not allowing either offense to win headers. Runs were almost entirely negated, forcing both sides to take chances from well outside the box. Junior mid Alexander Wrona (Burlington, Conn.) took one of those chances in the 73rd minute from the far left wing. He sent a bullet that sailed only a foot or two above the crossbar.

It was the best opportunity for the Bulldogs in the frame and last shot attempt from either side before regulation came to an end. St. Francis Brooklyn looked as if it would attain a sixth-straight shutout win to start conference play just three minutes into the final overtime. Sarr broke free on the left side of the box, got five yards from the near post and shot on net, but was met by a sliding Stewart for the save of the game.

The Bulldogs had a pair of shot attempts to close out the game, but a Curtis Orth (Ancaster, Ont.) shot from the top of the box went high, and an Wrona strike from just three yards out on the end of a corner went wide left.

Orth paced the Bulldogs in his final appearance wearing his home jersey, tallying four shots with one on frame. Classmate Pedro-Lucas Ferreira (East Boston, Mass.) had two shot attempts, as did sophomore Nathanial Brown (Queens, N.Y.). Stewart made just two saves in his return, but played great from his line and picked him his second shutout.

The Terriers were led by Sarr and Salvatore Barone, who combined for all seven of the team's shots. Bazzichetto made three saves in his third game of the season.

The Bulldogs will need help from the Knights and Pioneers, who both play each other in the season finale. That game can only end in a draw, and Bryant will need a win when it wraps up the regular season at Central Connecticut on Sunday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m.