Bulldogs lose heartbreaker against Rider in double overtime Sunday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – With 21 seconds remaining in double overtime, the Bryant University men's soccer team fell short to Rider University on Sunday afternoon in Smithfield.

The Bulldogs (1-3-2) came back from a two-goal deficit to force the game into overtime against the Broncs (4-2-0), but it was Elliot Otmani who found the back of the net for the Rider game-winning goal.

With just under a minute to play in the second overtime period, the Broncs built up their attack from the midfield, servicing the ball to Zach Bond. Bond crossed the ball low into the six-yard box from the left flank and Otmani was there to settle it and finish into the net.

The Black and Gold responded to the Broncs' two-goal lead in regulation, scoring both goals late in the second half.

Sophomore Thomas Binder (Vienna, Austria) followed up on the deflection off his initial shot, placing the ball into top left corner for the Bulldogs' first score in the 83rd minute.

Senior Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.) gathered a loose ball in the Broncs' territory, finding midfielder Sam Trueman (Bristol, England), who settled the pass at the top of the 18-yard box and finished into the left side of the goal in the 84th minute.

Rider took the initial, 2-0, lead after a Bryant penalty in the box led to a Christian Flath penalty kick in the 18th minute of play. Well into the second half, the Broncs recorded their second score after Joe Panuccio located Otmani, who collected the pass and scored low into the bottom right corner past Bulldogs' keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine).

Knaub recorded six saves in the match, while Rider's goalie Ryan Baird tallied five. Rider placed nine shots on frame, while Bryant logged seven attempts on goal. Both teams finished with 15 total shots a piece.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday, September 23 at UMass Lowell, beginning at 7 p.m.