Bulldogs take down Hawks, 2-1, Saturday afternoon

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Sophomore Thomas Binder (Vienna, Austria) scores the game-winning goal to put the Bryant University men's soccer team on top, 2-1, over Hartwick College on Saturday afternoon.

The Bulldogs (2-5-2) took a 1-0 lead over the Hawks (4-4-2), after junior Matt Guerriero (Pickering, Ont.) received a pass from forward Sam Trueman (Bristol, Englang) and maintained possession by dribbling out of traffic.  Guerriero fired the ball towards the nearside of the goal, finishing off the outstretched hand of Hartwick goalkeeper Lenny Wilson.

The Hawks found an answer in the 34th minute of play, when Wyatt Scott carried the ball down the right flank, crossing it into the 18-yard box, where Mike Rood was there to lay it off to Jack Donaldson for the Hartwick equalizer.

Within minutes, the Black and Gold were back on the attack, forcing a corner kick for the home team. Off the set play, Pedro-Lucas Ferreira (East Boston, Mass.) found freshman Derek Blanchette (Hope, R.I.) with a pass on the right side. Blanchette then serviced the ball across the middle to Binder, who chipped the shot over Wilson and into the far corner of the net for the Bulldogs' game-winning score.

Wilson finished the match with two saves, while senior keeper Chris Knaub (Yarmouth, Maine) was key between the pipes for the Bulldogs, logging five saves.

The Hawks located six of 11 shots on goal, with midfielder Jamie O'Grady leading the category. The Black and Gold placed four of six attempts on net, as led by Binder.

The Bulldogs return to action on Friday, October 9, with the first conference game of the season at Saint Francis Brooklyn at 7 p.m.