Bulldogs look to snap skid over weekend

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Looking to snap a two-game skid, the Bryant University men's soccer team returns to action over the weekend when it hosts UMass Lowell on Thursday (4 p.m.) before visiting Rider on Sunday (12 p.m.).

Sometimes they say it's better to be lucky than to be good, however the bad luck that the Bulldogs ran into over the past weekend was something even the most talented teams would struggle with. On Friday, after battling with Buffalo for more than 90 minutes, the Bulls took down the Black and Gold on the early frontrunner for goal of the year when Russell Cicerone booted a game-winner from midfield to solidify a 3-2 double OT victory. Just two days later, junior forward Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.) did nearly everything in his power to help ensure a Bryant victory, scoring two goals in four minutes in the first half at Canisius. However, two tallies from the hosts in the last 15 minutes of regulation, and another in double overtime, led to Bryant's second-straight double OT heartbreaker.

However, the Black and Gold return to action on Thursday at home looking to turn their early misfortune around. Bryant will host UMass Lowell for the first time as a Division I program, Thursday at 4 p.m. at Bulldog Soccer Field.  The River Hawks enter weekend action with a 2-2 overall record coming off back-to-back wins, including a 3-1 triumph of defending Northeast Conference Champs St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday. Through four games, Wuilito Fernandes and Homero Morais lead the team with two goals apiece, while Austin Kroll has allowed eight goals in four starts at GK. Last year in Lowell, Larcoque scored the game-winner  with less than 10 seconds remaining in overtime to propel the Bulldogs to a 3-2 win on the road.

On Sunday, Bryant will head to Lawrenceville, N.J., for a 12 p.m. showdown with Rider. The Broncs enter weekend action with a 0-1-1 over mark, falling to Robert Morris 3-0 and tying St. Joe's 1-1 on Friday. Justin Veltri scored the lone goal for Rider in its first two matches, while David Pastuna has allowed four goals in two starts between the pipes. Last season, the Broncs escaped Smithfield with a 2-1 win despite a second half score from Marco Addonizio (Lynnfield, Mass.).

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