Bulldogs open Ocean State Classic at #20 Brown

MEN'S SOCCER PREPS FOR WEEKEND ACTION AT #20 BROWN FRIDAY, AT URI SUNDAY (BOTH 7 P.M.)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After an impressive 3-0 victory over Lehigh last Friday, the Bryant University men's soccer team will look to get back on track Friday night at #20 Brown (7 p.m.) in the opening round of the Ocean State Classic, before heading to URI for second round action on Sunday (7 p.m.).

Bryant enters the annual Ocean State Classic sporting a 1-1 overall mark, dropping a tough decision on the road to Lafayette, 2-1, Sunday evening. On Sunday, the Leopards jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a Peter Adubato score in the 27th minute. The tough Lafayette attack produced another Adubato goal in the 79th minute, all but securing the game for the home team. Junior midfielder Connor Norat (Wilmington, Del.) notched his second score of the season just minutes later, but with time not on their side, the Bulldogs were unable to net the equalizer. Norat currently leads Bryant with five points (2g, 1a), while sophomore keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) has allowed just two goals in two starts thus far.

Friday will mark the season opener for the nationally ranked Bears who currently sit at #20 overall in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Poll. Last season, Brown finished with an overall mark of 13-3-3, earning an at-large bid for the seventh time in eight seasons. The Bears are led by junior Ben Maurey who notched five goals and a pair of assists for 12 points in 2012.

On Sunday, the Bulldogs will venture to Kingston, R.I., for a showdown familiar-foe URI (7 p.m.). The Rams enter weekend action with a 0-1 overall mark after dropping their season opener last Friday, 3-0, at Seton Hall. With 14 returners back from its 2012 squad, URI will look to improve on their 4-11-3 record from last season. Junior Mike Casey returns as the team's leading goal scorer as he notched five goals and three assists a year ago, while classmate Matt Sykes finished just behind him with 12 points (4g, 4a). The Rams open Ocean State Classic action vs. PC on Friday before hosting Bryant on Sunday.

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