Men's Soccer Defeated 4-1 by Rhode Island College

Providence, RI-Behind a pair of first half goals from senior forward Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, RI), the Rhode Island College men's soccer team topped Framingham State in a physical battle, 4-1, for their third consecutive victory on Wednesday night.

It was the Rams who struck first in this one, taking a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute when sophomore midfielder Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, Mass.) drilled a free kick around the wall from the top of the box, which eluded RIC senior goalkeeper Nick Clark (East Bridgewater, Mass.).

RIC (5-4) bounced back quickly in the 29th minute, as senior midfielder Hector Espildora Fortuno (Malaga, Spain) lined up for a long free kick just past the midfield line in FSU territory and found Costa for the header in front of the net. Espildora Fortuno currently leads the Little East with five assists on the season.

The Framingham State (2-5-1) defense would allow Costa to find the back of the net once again in the 41st minute. Senior forward Mike Patriarca (Warren, RI) gained possession and raced up the sideline, crossing it to sophomore midfielder Ignacio Cespedes (Fitchburg, Mass.) who then found Costa wide open in the box. Costa tapped it home for his second goal of the game and second of the season.

The Anchormen continued to roll in the second half, adding some insurance in the 68th minute. Junior defender Tucker Shepard (Tiverton, RI) took a goal kick, instead of Clark, and launched it well past the midfield line into the Rams' zone. After it glanced off the head of an FSU back, Patriarca took control of the ball and displayed some fancy footwork to knife through the defense. The senior ripped one past junior goalkeeper Sam Yoder (Southbridge, Mass.) for his second goal of the season.

Rhode Island College added its fourth straight goal in the 81st minute; thanks to freshman forward Emmanuel Asiedu (Lincoln, RI). The defense went to clear out of the box, but the attempt was blocked by freshman forward Peter Amoriggi (Smithfield, RI). Amoriggi found Asiedu in the box, and the freshman slipped around the defense and snuck one past Yoder for his second goal of the season.

The Anchormen outshot the Rams, 13-10, and also had the advantage in corner kicks, 3-0. In a game that featured a lot of whistles, RIC also finished with 30 fouls and two yellow cards, while FSU tallied 18 fouls and a yellow card as well.

Clark improved his record to 5-4, making three saves. Meanwhile, Yoder falls to 2-3-1 despite making four saves in the loss.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will resume Little East Conference action at home against UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, Oct. 1 (1 p.m.), while the Rams resume MASCAC action on Saturday as they host Salem State at 11 a.m.

Release courtesy of RIC Sports Information.