Spring Break
Men's soccer tops rival with late score
Joseph Rea
Issue date: 10/16/08 Section: Sports
10/16/08 - The University of Rhode Island men's soccer team defeated the University of Massachusetts 1-0 on Sunday at home.
Rhode Island continued its back-and-forth season, as it still has not won back-to-back games despite a winning record in double-digit games played.
Sophomore Dwayne Williams connected in the 88th minute to put Rhody (5-4-1 overall, 1-0 conference) ahead. Williams now has two goals on the season, with both of them game-winners. He scored on a header following a well-executed free kick off the foot of junior Gary Crooks.
"Gary had a quality ball on the free kick," head coach John O'Connor said. For Crooks, it was his team-leading fourth assist on the season.
The free kick took place after freshman Erkko Puranen was fouled on a breakaway, resulting in a yellow card for Massachusetts. URI took its .500 record into conference play and Williams' goal proved to be all it needed.
"A year ago, we were 1-6 coming into conference play," O'Connor said. "Getting a win early this season [in conference] is important."
After a sluggish first half, Rhode Island came out firing in the second. Quick shots by seniors Kedan Crosby and Andres Perdomo forced Minutemen (2-6-2, 0-1) goalkeeper Zack Simmons to make two saves. Crosby had seven shots in the match.
As a team, the Rams doubled their shots from five in the first half to 10 in the second half.
"We showed a lot of grit and determination," O'Connor said. "We didn't play well in the first half."
The statistics show an almost evenly-played game between URI and UMass, with Rhody getting 15 shots compared to Massachusetts' 13. Rhode Island led the shots on goal category, 8-7. URI committed only two fouls in the second half, compared to 10 in the first.
"We limited our mistakes," O'Connor said. Rhody was able to get four corner kicks in the second half after being held to zero in the first. On top of the win to start conference play, URI did it against rival UMass.
"We realized it was an opportunity," O'Connor said. "We lost to UMass in the A-10 tournament last year."
Other good news for Rhode Island was the stellar play of junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock. He recorded his fourth shutout of the season, with all four coming in the last six games. He picked up seven saves against UMass.
"Chris gives us a chance to win in every game. He is a calming influence, he doesn't get too excited," O'Connor said of his veteran goalie.
Rhody goes on the road for two games this weekend before coming home for two. They will play Duquesne University Friday in Pittsburgh, Pa., before it heads to St. Bonaventure, N.Y. to take on the Bonnies.
Rhode Island continued its back-and-forth season, as it still has not won back-to-back games despite a winning record in double-digit games played.
Sophomore Dwayne Williams connected in the 88th minute to put Rhody (5-4-1 overall, 1-0 conference) ahead. Williams now has two goals on the season, with both of them game-winners. He scored on a header following a well-executed free kick off the foot of junior Gary Crooks.
"Gary had a quality ball on the free kick," head coach John O'Connor said. For Crooks, it was his team-leading fourth assist on the season.
The free kick took place after freshman Erkko Puranen was fouled on a breakaway, resulting in a yellow card for Massachusetts. URI took its .500 record into conference play and Williams' goal proved to be all it needed.
"A year ago, we were 1-6 coming into conference play," O'Connor said. "Getting a win early this season [in conference] is important."
After a sluggish first half, Rhode Island came out firing in the second. Quick shots by seniors Kedan Crosby and Andres Perdomo forced Minutemen (2-6-2, 0-1) goalkeeper Zack Simmons to make two saves. Crosby had seven shots in the match.
As a team, the Rams doubled their shots from five in the first half to 10 in the second half.
"We showed a lot of grit and determination," O'Connor said. "We didn't play well in the first half."
The statistics show an almost evenly-played game between URI and UMass, with Rhody getting 15 shots compared to Massachusetts' 13. Rhode Island led the shots on goal category, 8-7. URI committed only two fouls in the second half, compared to 10 in the first.
"We limited our mistakes," O'Connor said. Rhody was able to get four corner kicks in the second half after being held to zero in the first. On top of the win to start conference play, URI did it against rival UMass.
"We realized it was an opportunity," O'Connor said. "We lost to UMass in the A-10 tournament last year."
Other good news for Rhode Island was the stellar play of junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock. He recorded his fourth shutout of the season, with all four coming in the last six games. He picked up seven saves against UMass.
"Chris gives us a chance to win in every game. He is a calming influence, he doesn't get too excited," O'Connor said of his veteran goalie.
Rhody goes on the road for two games this weekend before coming home for two. They will play Duquesne University Friday in Pittsburgh, Pa., before it heads to St. Bonaventure, N.Y. to take on the Bonnies.
