Bulldogs notch first win

Men's soccer picks up its first win of 2012 on Sunday against George Washington

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Paced by two second half scores, the Bryant University Men's soccer team defeated George Washington, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Sutton Field.

Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) and Brett Larocque (Ottowa, Ont.) each registered their second goals of the season within five minutes of each other to lift the Bulldogs to victory.

After a scoreless first half, the Black and Gold took advantage of their first scoring opportunity of the final 45 minutes. Norat followed up a Larocque shot attempt in the 64th minute, burying his second score of 2012 to put the Bulldogs up 1-0.

Less than five minutes later Lucas Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) delivered a beautiful ball across the pitch to a streaking Larocque who beat Colonial keeper JP van der Merwe in the 69th minute for his second goal of the season, as well, increasing the Bulldog lead to 2-0.

GW would find the net in the 81^st minute, when Tyler Ranalli received a pass off a free kick to cut the Bryant lead in half, however, it would not be enough as the Bulldogs held on to earn their first win of the season.

The Black and Gold outshot the Colonials 16-7 in the game, while Bryant keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) recorded three saves in the match and van der Merwe stopped seven Bulldog chances.

With a win under their belt, Bryant will have a week to prepare for Manhattan College when they visit Smithfield on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.

For all the latest on Bryant University men's soccer, visit BryantBulldogs.com.