Bulldogs win 5th-straight behind DaCosta magic

MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – Senior Alex DaCosta (Bristol, R.I.) scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lift the Bryant University men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Robert Morris on Friday afternoon.  

The Bulldogs were trailing 1-0 after the half but DaCosta scored the equalizer in the 51st minute and then broke Colonial hearts with the golden goal in the 98th minute.

Game Information
Bryant 2, Robert Morris 1
Records: Bryant (6-3-0, 3-0-0 NEC), Robert Morris (3-8-2, 2-2-1)

Coach Purcell's Comment

"Just a brilliant comeback win. This is a tough place to play and I thought we battled extremely hard for that victory. The freshmen have definitely stepped up this year and to have Alex back is icing on the cake. He's a special player."

Key Moment

• DaCosta stood over a free kick in overtime and drilled a shot that caromed off the RMU keeper and into the back of the net for the golden goal.    

Scoring Summary

• 15th minute – RMU 1, Bryant 0 – Cristian Palermo placed a corner kick inside the six and Riccardo Rota was able to redirect it home with his head to make it 1-0.   
• 51st minute – Bryant 1, RMU 1 – DaCosta played give-and-go with Victor Rey (Lincoln, R.I.), getting a return pass just outside the six-yard box before placing a shot back across his body and into the lower left corner of the goal.
• 98th minute – Bryant 2, RMU 1 – Bryant was awarded a free kick from 35 yards out and DaCosta rifled the ball on frame and the RMU keeper was unable to corral it.    

Stats/Notes

• Bryant is now 8-0-4 all-time against Robert Morris.
• The victory pushes the Bulldogs past Robert Morris and into first place in the Northeast Conference standings.
• Bryant extends its DI program-record winning streak to five games.
• The Bulldogs are also 3-0 in NEC play for the first time in program history.
• The Black and Gold have scored multiple goals in each of their last six matches.
• DaCosta posted his first multi-goal game of the season and his fifth-straight multi-point effort.
• DaCosta's 15 points are the third-most in a single season in DI program history.
• He leads the team with five goals, five assists and 15 points. DaCosta has scored 14 points in his last five games.
• Rey has now registered points in three-straight matches (1g, 2a). He hadn't registered a point since his freshman year.  

Up Next

The Bulldogs wrap up their weekend with a noon kickoff against Saint Francis U on Sunday.