Bryant outlasted on the road by Rhode Island

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – After 45 minutes, the Bryant University men's soccer team was down 1-0 and feeling good about where they were, but they were not able to come back in the second 45, yielding three goals in a 4-0 defeat at Rhode Island Thursday night.

Game Information

Rhode Island 4, Bryant 0

Records: Rhode Island 2-2, Bryant 0-5

Location: URI Soccer Complex

Coach Purcell's Comments

"I thought the first half we competed and we battled hard. The keeper made a great save [on the PK] and we were sleeping on the rebound. I thought it was good. I was very happy at halftime. We came out flat in the second half and gave up two goals in six minutes. Our effort is there, but I think our mental toughness is not there. Now we'll get them a few days off, we have a week to prepare for Stony Brook and we'll get it right."

Key Moment

• Early in the second half, Rhode Island was able to convert two goals in a span of 3:14. The first of which came off a cross into the box that was deflected home by Chae Brangman in the 49^th minute. The second goal came on a grounded cross by Ryan Bailey to the feet of Carlo Davids whose shot was partially stopped by sophomore Olivier Larente (Garches, France) but still found its way into the net.  

Scoring Summary 

• 28^th minute – Rhode Island 1, Bryant 0 – Chae Brangman was brought down in the box, yielding a penalty kick for the Rams. The initial kick by Stavros Zarokostas was denied by Larente, but Brangman was the first to the rebound, finishing it to the right side netting.
• 48^th minute – Rhode Island 2, Bryant 0 – After pressure from the Bulldogs proved unsuccessful, the Rams connected the dots on a counterattack, when a cross from Peder Kristiansen found the feet of Brangman who deflected it again into the right netting for his second goal.
• 52^nd minute – Rhode Island 3, Bryant 0 – Bailey took the ball to the end line inside the box and centered it on the ground. It was deflected by Brangman to the feet of Davids, who powered it past Larente.
• 78^th minute – Rhode Island 4, Bryant 0 – Kristiansen's corner was an in-swinging ball at the near post, and Niklas Middrup's head was the first one to it and he beat Larente near post.

Stats/Notes                                                         

• Larente made six saves in his first start of the season.
• Alexander Eby (Kalamazoo, Mich.) registered his first shot on goal of the year.
• The Bulldogs recorded a season-high six shots in the second half.

Up Next

The Bulldogs have a nine-day hiatus before they play host to Stony Brook at 1:00 p.m. September 16 at the Bulldog Soccer Field.