PLYMOUTH, N.H. – The Plymouth State University men's soccer team opened Little East Conference (LEC) play with a 1-0 loss to Rhode Island College in a tight, back-and-forth match at Arold Field on Saturday afternoon.
Freshman goalkeeper
Bryant Amaral (Coventry, R.I.) finished with six saves to help keep the Panthers in the match. Offensively, PSU was paced by sophomore
Nick Ferro (Smithfield, R.I.), who led the way with three shots.
Plymouth State falls to 2-2-0 (0-1-0 LEC), while the Anchormen move to 2-2-0 (1-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, Rhode Island College 1
- Plymouth State (2-2-0, 0-1-0 LEC)
- Rhode Island College (2-2-0, 0-1-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- It was the Panthers who generated the first real look a little over a minute into the match when freshman Jeremiah Rodriguez (Los Angeles, Calif.) sent a ball over the top to Ferro. He muscled his way past a defender and poked a shot past the keeper that hit the left post and stayed out.
- The Anchormen fought back seconds later as they moved the ball up the field and got a shot from the top of the box that Amaral saved comfortably.
- RIC got the next chance about 10 minutes later when a free kick was delivered to the back post. A header was sent towards goal, but Amaral was in good position to make the save.
- The Anchormen controlled possession for the remainder of the half but were frustrated by a Panther back line led by sophomore Riley Dever (Gorham, Maine), freshman Riley Sheel (Elk Township, N.J), and junior Rowan McCarthy (Pepperell, Mass.).
- Rhode Island College opened the second half in similar fashion, leading to an early chance on goal, but a shot from the left of the box was easily stopped by Amaral.
- The Panthers almost broke through as freshman Anderson Perez Ramos (Stamford, Conn.) sent a through ball ahead to Ferro, who made a couple of moves to beat two defenders and then fired a low shot on the near post that was saved.
- RIC broke through in the 78th minute as a low cross was sent through the box and one-timed into the net.
- Plymouth State kept pressing in the closing minutes but was unable to find an equalizer.
By the Numbers:
- Each of the last five meetings have been decided by one goal or less.
- The Anchormen outshot the Panthers 22-8.
- Rhode Island College put seven shots on target to Plymouth State's two.
- Corner kicks were close as the Anchormen had six, while the Panthers generated five.
- Plymouth State finished with six saves, while the Anchormen made two.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State travels to Vermont State University Lyndon on Tuesday (Sept. 15) for a 3 p.m. clash with the Hornets.
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