Pioneers slip by Bulldogs, 2-1

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team took a one-goal lead into the locker room after the first half, but Sacred Heart tacked on two markers in the second stanza, propelling the Pioneers to a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs in their season finale on Sunday at Bulldog Stadium. 

Before the game, Bryant honored eight members of the program who were playing their final game donning the Black and Gold, as graduate student Cristian Balestrieri (Mar Del Plata, Argentina) and seniors Chris Bronski (Trumbull, Conn.), Bunmi Familoni (East Greenwich, R.I.), Ethan Friedman (Massapequa Park, N.Y.), Frankie Hand (Lynbrook, N.Y.), Ben Lawrence (Amherst, N.H.) and Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) were all acknowledged for their dedication over their years spent with the Bulldogs. 

Parisi, who entered Sunday with a team-leading five goals, had an opportunity to add to his tremendous offensive year by virtue of a penalty kick in the 33^rd minute of the contest.  Sacred Heart was whistled for a foul in the box moments before, and the senior booted it into the twine on the right side for the go-ahead strike at 32:08.  The New Yorker finished the year with six goals and one assist for a team-high 13 points.

After the break, Sacred Heart managed to draw even less than five minutes into the second stanza.  Justin Brewer dribbled to the right side of the box and sent a bouncing pass through the eighteen, finding an open Marcello Castro on the left side of the six-yard line.  Castro volleyed the pass home for the equalizer at 49:35.

Both teams would go back-and-forth over the ensuing 30 minutes, but the Pioneers grabbed the lead with just over 10 minutes to play in the game on Brewer's fifth goal of the season.  Omer Levy started the play on the left side of the Bryant end before sending a pass over to Brewer inside the box, who promptly put the visitors ahead with a shot near the left post for the go-ahead goal.

Sacred Heart's stout defense took over from there, limiting the Bulldogs' remaining chances in the final 10 minutes of the game.  After Bryant was outshot by a 9-3 margin in the first half, the Bulldogs played a much tighter second half, reeling off five shot attempts.  In total, Sacred Heart held a 17-8 lead in shot attempts and a 2-1 lead in corner kicks.

The contest was marked by physical play from both teams, as the two squads combined for 33 fouls.  Bryant was forced to play shorthanded in the final 10 minutes after being issued a red card for the first time this season.

Snell was tabbed the starter, and the senior recorded five saves over 82:45 of action before sophomore George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) entered the contest in the 83^rd minute.  Sacred Heart was aided by Alex Fait, who turned aside one shot on the afternoon.

The Bulldogs finish 2011 with a 2-13-1 on the season with a 1-9 mark in Northeast Conference play, while the Pioneers improve to 10-4-4 and clinch a spot in the four-team NEC Tournament by virtue of a 6-1-3 conference record.

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.