Bulldogs host pair over weekend

NEC PLAY HEATS UP AS MEN'S SOCCER HOSTS LIU FRIDAY AND QUINNIPIAC SUNDAY

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team will host a pair of Northeast Conference opponents over the weekend, welcoming LIU Brooklyn on Friday and Quinnipiac on Sunday.

After dropping a tough 3-2 decision to NEC-preseason favorite Monmouth on Sunday, the Bulldogs (3-5-1, 1-3 NEC) will look to get back on track during weekend play.

Despite leading for much of the second half on Sunday, the Black and Gold were forced into their third overtime outing of the season, and for the second time in 2012 came up just short, as Joseph Schmid sealed the victory for the Hawks, 3-2, in double overtime.

After a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs were able to notch the first score of the match in the 53rd minute when Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) dished the ball to freshman Matt Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) who put home the first collegiate goal of his young career.

The visitor's 1-0 edge would not last long, as Andres Penfold tied the score at 1-1 at the 64:13 mark, beating Bryant keeper George Spanos (Garden City, N.Y.) one-on-one off a ball played into the box by Ryan Clark.

The Black and Gold answered with a quick response, regaining a one-goal advantage less than two minutes later, when Kyle Jester (San Diego, Calif.) headed home a serve from Shane Murphy (Kennett Square, Pa.) for a 2-1 Bryant edge.

The Bulldogs were able to hold the lead for nearly the remainder of the contest, but Monmouth's final corner kick of the afternoon put the ball on the head of Tomas Penfold at the perfect moment, as he found the back of the net to knot the game at 2-2 and force extra time.

In overtime, the sides would battle for more than 11 minutes before Schmid fired the game winner in the 102nd minute, granting Monmouth a 3-2 victory.

LIU enters the weekend with a 2-7-2 overall record, posting a 1-1-1 mark in the NEC, most recently playing Quinnipiac to a 2-2 double overtime tie on Sunday. Senior Jakeem Johnson leads the Blackbirds in scoring, recording seven points on three goals and one assist through 10 games. Classmate Nathan Stockie has started eight games in goal, posting a 1.16 goals against average. The Bulldogs will host LIU Brooklyn Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. on Sutton Field.

On Sunday, the Black and Gold will welcome Quinnipiac to Smithfield for a 3 p.m. showdown at Sutton Field. The Bobcats enter weekend play with an overall record of 4-4-2, 2-0-1 in the NEC. Senior Philip Surprise and Robbie McLarney lead their team with 13 (6 g, 1 a) and 10 points (3 g, 4 a), respectively. Sophomore Borja Angoitia has logged every minute between the pipes for the Bobcats, registering an impressive 1.43 goals against average and a .732 save percentage.

Last season, the Bulldogs suffered losses to both programs on the road, falling to Quinnipiac, 2-1, and LIU, 4-3, in back-to-back matches.

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