Men's Soccer Battles RIC to 3-3 Tie
Providence, RI - Junior midfielder Jose Ruiz (Providence, RI)
scored the game-tying goal in the 77th minute to help the Rhode
Island College men's soccer team salvage a 3-3 double overtime time
tie vs. Framingham State on Wednesday evening at the RIC Soccer
Field
RIC sees its record go to 3-4-2, while FSC's mark now stands at
2-6-1.
Despite outplaying the visitors in the early going, the Anchormen
found themselves trailing, 2-0. In the seventh minute, junior
midfielder Jason Silva (Northbridge, MA) found a lane between the
RIC defense and scored his second goal of the year.
Junior midfielder Scott Faria (Fall River, MA) took a cross from
freshman back Will Menter (Haverhill, MA), settled the ball and
beat RIC freshman netminder Andrew Hogan (North Providence, RI)
with a high shot for his third marker just 5:31 later.
The hosts continued to pressure the Rams defense, finally getting
on the scoreboard in the 31st minute. Sophomore forward Bruno Costa
(Pawtucket, RI) found himself on the goal line at the side of the
net. With no options, he shot the ball towards the front of the net
and it ricocheted off an FSC defender's leg and past junior
goalkeeper Greg Halle (Beverly, MA).
That proved to be the break the Anchormen were looking for as
momentum began to shift their way. Junior midfielder David DeMelo
(Fall River, MA) beat his man as he crossed into the 18-yard box
and was tripped 1:37 later. Costa took the ensuing penalty kick and
easily netted his sixth goal of the year to tie the game, 2-2.
RIC's enthusiasm was curbed when Hogan went down with an injury
behind the play and was forced to come out of the game. Junior
goalkeeper Helder Faustino (Warwick, RI) made his first collegiate
appearance in net and made a tough save just before the half
ended.
Framingham State regained the lead in the 68th minute as a play
developed off a free kick. Senior back Constantine Tzortzis
(Topsfield, MA) started the play about one yard into his zone,
sending a kick down the line to Silva who headed the ball to
freshman midfielder Erik Nader (Framingham, MA) for the go ahead
goal.
RIC senior forward Dan Rodrigues (Cumberland, RI) started the play
to help RIC score the tying goal with 12:19 left to go in
regulation. With the ball sailing out of bounds along the FSC goal
line, Rodrigues, with his back to the field, kicked the ball over
his shoulder and back out in front of Halle. Junior forward Josh
Sousa (Cumberland, RI) slid a pass to Ruiz who banged the ball in
for his first goal as an Anchorman.
DeMelo nearly sent the crowd into a celebration with 20 seconds
left in regulation, but his goal was called back due to an offsides
call.
Faustino (0-0-1) made four saves to earn his first collegiate
decision, while Halle (1-3-1) made six stops. The Anchormen held a
10-shot advantage, 27-17, in the game. The two teams combined for
44 fouls (22/22) and four yellow cards.
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East
Conference play when it hosts Keene State on Saturday, Oct. 3,
while the Rams resume MASCAC play on Saturday at Worcester
State.
Release courtesy of RIC Sports Information.