MEN'S SOCCER DRAWS EVEN WITH ROBERT MORRIS FRIDAY 1-1 IN OVERTIME

October 1, 2010

BRYANT MEN'S SOCCER TIES ROBERT MORRIS 1-1 IN OT

highlight of the day - Kaukas' goal courtesy of www.bryantbulldogs.tv

Bryant keeper Victor Tutino keeps game tied in overtime

Goalie Victor Tutino made seven saves Friday against Robert Morris (www.dspics.com)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Trailing 1-0 at the half, Bryant's Sean Kaukas (Glastonbury, Conn.) knocked in the game-tying goal early in the second stanza to help the Bulldogs salvage a 1-1 overtime tie with visiting Robert Morris University in the Northeast Conference opener Friday at a rain-soaked Bulldog Stadium. 

Robert Morris (4-4-1, 0-0-1 NEC) took a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute when Miro Cabrilo scored on a header in front of the Bryant goal following a corner kick from teammate Neil Shaffer. 

In the second half, the Colonials came out of the locker room and controlled much of the play in the frame's early going.  Bryant senior goalkeeper Victor Tutino (Deer Park, N.Y.) came up big several times with point-blank saves to keeping it a one-goal game, and creating an opportunity for the Bulldogs to draw even.

That opportunity came in the 54th minute after the Bulldogs started to gain some momentum on the offensive side.  Thanks to a great throw-in from senior Tom Nelan (East Haddam, Conn.), the ball slipped through a handful of defenders to a waiting Kaukas, who sent a low-shot past Colonial goalie Toba Bolaji. 

Bryant (2-4-1, 0-0-1) continued its pressure, creating another strong scoring opportunity in the 70th minute, when Nick Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) sent a blistering shot just over the cross bar from 35 yards out after working a nice give-and-go with teammate Nicholas Alberti (Dorcester, Mass.).   

Parisi nearly came up with the game-winner again at the end of the first overtime period.  With the clock under a minute, Parisi got his foot on a loose ball in the box, but couldn't get a solid shot off and it was knocked away nicely by Bolaji.

Tutino finished with seven saves in the game for the Bulldogs, who will return to action Sunday to host Saint Francis (PA) at 1 p.m.