Bulldogs lose close battle with River Hawks in overtime Wednesday night

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team's second-half comeback was not enough to make them victorious, losing to UMass Lowell, 3-2, in overtime on Wednesday night.

Nearly halfway through the first extra-time period, Lowell's Guilherme Rodrigues fired one past the Bryant defense from 22 yards out to seal the, 3-2, win for the River Hawks. The match marked the fifth game of the season in which the Bulldogs have played in added time.

The Bulldogs (1-4-2) trailed the River Hawks, 1-0, at the intermission, after Lowell's Chase Reichenberg finished a rebound high into the net off of the initial shot from Wuilito Fernandes.

The Black and Gold began their comeback in the 55th minute, when Thomas Binder (Vienna, Austria) found senior Brett Larocque (Ottawa, Ont.) at the top of the circle. Larocque caught Lowell keeper Austin Kroll off guard, sending a shot high over his head and into the back of the net. The score marks the forward's third goal of the season.

The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead, after forcing the River Hawks into an own goal in the 74th minute.

Nearing the end of regulation, Lowell found the tying goal from Carlos Ruiz, who went unassisted, sending the match into overtime.

Bulldogs' goalie Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) and River Hawks' keeper Kroll each finished the night with two saves apiece.

Larocque led the Black and Gold with two shots on goal, while sophomore Jozef Jennings (Barrington, R.I.) tallied one on frame. The Bulldogs collectively finished the match with seven total shots.

Bryant travels next to Burlington to take on Vermont on Sunday, Sept. 27 for a 3 p.m. start.