Rhode Island College Drops Opening Two Games of Season

Troy, NY—The Rhode Island College men’s soccer team lost their first two games of the season while taking part in the Red Hawk Classic, hosted by Rensselaer on Aug. 29-30.

Head Coach John Mello’s team opened the ’08 campaign with a hard-fought, 1-0, loss to Union on Friday, Aug. 29. Junior forward Jack Scott (Huntington, NY) capitalized on a re-directed blocked shot from teammate Dan Dubrow (Woodbridge, CT). The shot from the top of the circle sailed off the chest of a Rhode Island defender to the right side where Scott lifted it over the reach of RIC junior goalie Cory Rocha (Riverside, RI) (0-1) into the left corner.

Both teams had opportunities in the second half, but neither was able to capitalize. Scott, who registered a game-high four shots, nearly gave Union a 2-0 advantage with six minutes remaining after battling through the Rhode Island defense, but his shot went wide to the left.

The Anchormen charged late in the game, sending three quick shots at the Union net with 3:50 left, but each was re-directed and went wide, including a header that just missed by freshman forward Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, RI). Costa was seeing his first action since injuring his ankle in last fall’s opener.

Freshman Forward Bruno Costa

Senior Rob Kramer (Westport, CT) stopped two shots in the net for the Dutchmen while Rocha posted three saves for Rhode Island. It was Kramer’s 21^st career shutout.

RIC senior midfielder Brandon Migliore (Coventry, RI) led the Anchormen with three shots.

Senior Midfielder Brandon Migliore

RIC attempted to rebound the following day against the hosts, but Rensselaer prevailed with a 2-0 victory.

The homestanding Red Hawks opened the scoring with five minutes left in the first half when sophomore Blake Adams (Cedar Grove, NJ) bent a right-footed shot around the wall and into the upper right hand corner of the net. The kick was set up by freshman Andrew Tambasco (Clifton Park, NY) who drew a foul at the edge of the 18-yard box.

Tambasco was involved in RPI's second goal as well when he won a ball inside the Rhode Island 18 and centered a cross to sophomore Bryce Hutchinson (Elverson, PA) who scored into an empty net.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Penny (Northport, NY) finished with one save in each half to move his record to 2-0. For RIC, freshman Justin O'Connor (North Kingstown, RI) and junior Cory Rocha (Riverside, RI) split time in goal. O'Connor (0-1), who played the first half, made two saves while Rocha had one.

Migliore, Costa and freshman defender Pedro Hernandez (Providence, RI) led the Anchormen with two shots apiece.

In upcoming action, RIC will play at Gordon on Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m.

-end-