Bulldogs close season with 2-1 2OT win

LAROCQUE SCORES IN 110TH MINUTE IN 2-1 WIN OVER CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ST.

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – In its fifth double overtime match of the season, the Bryant University men's soccer team pulled out a 2-1 victory over Central Connecticut St. Sunday afternoon in New Britain, Conn.

Freshman Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.) put home his team-leading sixth score of the season in the 110th minute to lift Bryant to the one-goal advantage in its season finale.

The Bulldogs close the 2012 season with a 6-8-2 overall record, finishing 4-5-1 in the Northeast Conference, while CCSU falls to 8-8-2, 6-3-1 in league play.

The Blue Devils were able to get on the board first when Reece Wilson received a pass in the box from Tiago Martins to beat Bryant freshman keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) just under three minutes into the contest.

Despite being outshot 23-8, the Bulldogs would go on to score the next two goals en route to their Division I program-record setting sixth win of the season.

Sophomore Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) found the back of the net right out of the half to even the score at 1-1 with his fifth goal of the year. Norat led his squad with four shots on goal in the match, closing out the season tied for the team lead in points with 13.

Both teams would be held scoreless for the remainder of regulation and through the first overtime period. Knaub made a career-high 11 saves in his 14th start of the year, while Central Connecticut keeper Anthony Occhialini stopped four Bulldogs chances in the match.

In the final minute of double overtime, Larocque collected the ball off a throw in and put a shot past Occhialini to grant the Bulldogs the 2-1 victory with only three seconds remaining on the game clock.

Predicted to finish in 11th place in the NEC just three months ago, the Bulldogs enjoyed their finest season as a program since joining the Division I ranks in 2008. Breaking Division I program records for wins and conference wins, the Black and Gold finish league-play just three points shy of an NEC Tournament berth.

Despite losing a solid contingent of seniors to graduation, Bryant will return an exciting group of underclassman, primed for another solid season in 2013.

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