PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore Nicolas Cornejo (Durham, N.H.) matched a career high with 11 saves, but Rhode Island College held off Plymouth State University, 3-0, in a Little East Conference (LEC) men's soccer game at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
RIC senior Sa-Leem Kamarah (Providence, R.I.) scored twice in a six-minute span as the Anchormen took a 2-0 lead at the half. Rhode Island College added an insurance tally midway through the second half and Plymouth State was unable to break through on the offensive side.
 
PSU falls to 0-7 (0-4 LEC), while Rhode Island College improves to 7-2 and 4-0 in conference action.
 
The Basics:

• Plymouth State 0, Rhode Island College 3
  • Plymouth State (0-7-0, 0-4-0 LEC)
  • Rhode Island College (7-2-0, 4-0-0 LEC)

How it Happened:

• The Panthers had an early opportunity, but sophomore Sean Kern's (Rockport, Mass.) bid was denied by the RIC goalkeeper.
• Cornejo kept Plymouth State close with several saves through the first half, but Kamarah settled a cross in the box before quickly firing a shot inside the near post for a 1-0 advantage at the 31st minute.
• The Anchormen won a 50-50 ball at midfield and turned it into a breakout opportunity resulting in Kamarah's second of the day from 12 yards out on the right side just 5:30 later.
• Plymouth State picked up the offensive pressure early in the second half, firing multiple shots and earning a quick corner kick, but the Panthers were unable to convert.
• The hosts put the game out of reach in the 71st minute with a rebound goal.

By the Numbers:

• Cornejo also had 11 stops in double-overtime contest at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on Sept. 18.
• RIC held advantages in shots and corners.
• Junior Milian Eklund (Akersberga, Sweden) launched a team-high three shots.

Up Next:

• The Panthers return home to face Curry College in a non-conference game on Wednesday (Oct. 6) at 3:30 p.m.