Men's soccer opens NEC play

THE BULLDOGS HOST A PAIR THIS WEEKEND TO OPEN CONFERENCE PLAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team will look to stay unbeaten in the month of September when they host a pair of Northeast Conference opponents over the weekend.

The Bulldogs will host Saint Francis (PA) on Friday in a 1:30 p.m. showdown at Sutton Field in the first leg of a doubleheader with the women's team. Bryant will close out weekend play on Sunday when they host Robert Morris at 1 p.m. at Sutton Field.

Bryant enters conference play with a 2-2-1 record, looking to remain unscathed in the month of September. After dropping their first two matches, the Black and Gold have compiled a 2-0-1 record over the past three contests, most recently defeating Manhattan College, 2-1, on Sunday.

On Sunday, seniors Angelo Caputi (Guayaquil, Ecuador) and Anthony Zarella (Marshfield, Mass.) each recorded their first tallies of the season to propel the Bulldogs to their second-consecutive victory. The first score came just before the half when Caputi was able to collect the ball inside the box after a scramble and snuck a shot past Manhattan keeper George Ellis.

In the 60th minute, sophomore Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) delivered a pass to Zarella at the top of the box, setting up a strike that found the back of the net, extending the Bulldog lead to 2-0. The Jaspers got on the board in the closing seconds of the contest when Naru Park delivered a through ball to Tommy Amos for Manhattan's lone score of the match.

Freshman Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) had another impressive performance in net for the Bulldogs, stopping two Manhattan scoring chances en route to his second collegiate victory. Knuab has played every minute in goal for the Bulldogs thus far this season.

Saint Francis (PA) comes to Smithfield with a 2-4-2 record. Most recently, the Red Flash fell, 3-0, to Canisius. After beginning the season 2-0-2, the NEC-foe has dropped its last four matches, including two overtime contests, heading into NEC play. Junior Nick Kolarac leads the Red Flash through eight games with five points on two goals and one assist.

Robert Morris enters the weekend with a 3-5-1 record as they head to Sacred Heart on Friday before coming to Bryant on Sunday. After starting the season 0-3-1, the Colonials have won three of their last five as they prepare to enter NEC play. Junior Miro Cabrilo leads Robert Morris with eight points (3g, 2a) through nine games. Senior Toba Bolaji has logged every minute in net thus far for the Colonials, allowing only 10 goals through nine games.

Last October, the Bulldogs notched their lone NEC victory in a 1-0 effort against Robert Morris.

Already equaling their win total from a year ago, the Bulldogs will have an opportunity this weekend to make their mark on the NEC.

For links to streaming video and live stats of this weekend's games and all the latest news on Bryant University men's soccer visit BryantBulldogs.com.