MEN’S SOCCER DROPS HEARTBREAKER, 3-2 TO RHODE ISLAND

Sept. 6, 2010

MEN'S SOCCER DROPS HEARTBREAKER, 3-2 TO RHODE ISLAND

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite a pair of quick back-to-back goals by freshman Christian Carrasquillo (Manchester, Conn.) at the end of the first half, the Bryant University men's soccer team lost in heartbreaking fashion to Rhode Island, 3-2 Monday afternoon. The consolation match of the inaugural Ocean State Soccer Classic, which was played on the campus of Brown University, was sealed in the 89^th minute of regulation when Ram forward Thomas Lindroos scored the game-winner.

The Bulldogs fall to 0-2 on the season after dropping the first match of the tournament to Brown, 4-0 Friday night. The Rams lost to Providence, 2-1 on Thursday in the other opening game.

Rhode Island stormed out to an early lead thanks to a goal in the 5^th minute by Dwayne Williams. The senior received a corner kick from Jonathan Pereira in front of the box and headed it into the top corner for the 1-0 advantage. The Rams returned 20 minutes later with a goal by Jamie Eckmayer who scored on a feed from Joey Haught.  

Faced with an early 0-2 deficit, the Bulldogs regrouped near the end of the first stanza when senior Sean Kaukas (Glastonbury, Conn.) setup Carrasquillo in the 41^st minute to mark the first Bryant goal of the season. The duo connected again 67 seconds later, this time with the help of sophomore Jimmy Lineberger (Warwick, R.I.), to even up the score and give Carrasquillo and Kaukas their second goal and assist of the contest, respectively.

The score remained tied for almost the entire second half until Lindroos tucked in the game-winner at the end of regulation.

Senior Victor Tutino (Deer Park, N.Y.) made five saves in the Bulldog net while Peyton Warwick stopped two for the Rams. Rhode Island edged out Bryant in shots by a margin of 17-11 and in corner kicks, 9-2.  

In the championship match, Providence defeated Brown in penalty kicks after the teams played to a scoreless tie. Bryant players Carrasquillo and sohomore defender Matthew D'Amelio (Lincoln, R.I.) were named to the All-Tournament Team.  

The Bulldogs next return home to host Manhattan on Sunday, Sept. 12 at 3:00 p.m.

ALL TOURNAMENT-TEAM

URI- Dwane Williams
URI – Robby Gargaro
Bryant – Christian Carrasquillo
Bryant – Matthew D'Amelio
Brown – Paul Grandstrand
Brown – Dylan Remick
Brown – Thomas McNamara
PC – Greg Davis
PC – Dan Fabian
PC – Jhojan Obando 

Offensive MVP:
Brown – Sean Rosa 

Defensive MVP:
Providence – Bryan Minogue