Men's soccer faces FDU Friday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Fresh off a weekend split in the Keystone State, the Bryant University men's soccer will travel to New Jersey on Friday night, taking on Fairleigh Dickinson in its lone match of the weekend.  Game time at University Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs (2-11-1, 1-7 Northeast Conference) will be looking to bounce back from a 3-0 setback against Saint Francis (PA) last Sunday, while the Knights (8-3-3, 4-1-2) are looking to keep pace with the top teams in the conference as the race for the NEC Tournament heats up.  FDU currently sits in a tie for third place, trailing first-place Monmouth and Central Connecticut St.

Senior forward Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) scored the squad's lone goal last weekend, but that was all the Bulldogs would need in a 1-0 victory over Robert Morris on Oct. 21.  Parisi took a feed from junior Angelo Caputi (Guayaquil, Ecuador) at 2:18 of the first half and put it home for his team-leading fifth marker of the year.  The New Yorker is the lone Bulldog who has eclipsed the 10-point mark, totaling 12 points on his five goals and two helpers.

Sophomore goalkeeper George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) made a career-high eight saves against the Colonials to secure his second win of the season, and first within the conference.

FDU has been led by junior Jack McVey, who scored his team-leading fifth goal against St. Francis (NY) last weekend to bring his scoring total to 13 on the season (5g, 1a).  Jonathan Gonzalez ranks second in scoring with seven points on two goals and three helpers.  Sophomore Jacob Lissek has been an anchor between the pipes, has he tied a career high in saves with nine against the Terriers.  The Knights have had a flair for dramatics this season, as they have seen six of their matches go to overtime this year, including four double-overtime contests. 

After tomorrow's match, Bryant will conclude the 2011 campaign at home on Sunday, Nov. 6, when the Bulldogs welcome Sacred Heart for an afternoon tilt slated to begin at 1 p.m.

For continuing coverage of Bryant University men's soccer, check back at www.bryantbulldogs.com, and be sure to follow the Bulldogs on Twitter @BryantAthletics.