PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team earned a point against the Rhode Island College Anchormen in a 0-0 tie in the Little East Conference (LEC) opener for both teams at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Panthers controlled most of the play against a team selected to place third in the LEC preseason poll. Plymouth State held a 16-11 advantage in shots and produced more shots on goal (5-2) in a tightly contested matchup.
Four Panthers recorded three shots each as senior
Koffi Kadjo (Manchester, N.H.), junior
Vince Cassarino (Tolland, Conn.), and sophomores
Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.) and
Colby Cowan (Oakdale, Conn.) provided a spark on offense.
Junior
Kole Matta (Castleton, Vt.) earned his second shutout of the season in goal, making the one save needed to keep the Anchormen off the scoresheet.
Plymouth State moves to 1-3-1 (0-0-1 LEC), while RIC is now 1-0-3 (0-0-1 LEC) on the season.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, RIC 0
- Plymouth State (1-3-1, 0-0-1 LEC)
- RIC (1-0-3, 0-0-1 LEC)
How it Happened:
- The Panthers manufactured the first good chance of the game in the 10th minute as Cassarino slipped past the RIC back line but took his shot directly at the opposing goalkeeper.
- Momentum shifted in favor to the Anchormen, who peppered Plymouth State through 30 minutes, but the scoreline remained 0-0.
- Plymouth State dug in and started to attack, offering the final five scoring opportunities of the first half, but were unable to tally a goal as the teams remained deadlocked at 0-0 at the halftime break.
- The Panthers opened the second half right where they left off - bringing waves of pressure against RIC. Plymouth State outshot the Anchormen 5-0 in the first 10 minutes of the second, but a 0-0 score remained.
- Teams began to exchange attacking opportunities as the evenly matched opponents pressed to break into the scoreline, as with 20 minutes remaining a single goal began to feel like it may become a game winner.
- The game would start where it ended as each team had chances to take home the win, but the Panthers would take home a well-earned point to open LEC play.
By the Numbers:
- Plymouth State outshot Rhode Island College, 16-11.
- Shots on goal were in the Panthers' favor, 5-2.
- RIC registered eight corner kicks to six for the Panthers.
- Plymouth State's last win in the series came in 2018, but the Panthers have earned draws three-of-the-last-four meetings.
- The Panthers own a 20-17-6 record in head-to-head matchups dating back to 1986.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to VTSU Johnson on Tuesday (Sept. 16) for a 4:00 p.m. tilt with the Badgers.
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