Nicklas Heminger
Sports Editor
The Anchormen entered this season with high hopes following an 11-7-1 record last year, but with one looming question mark: Who will replace established goalkeeper Charlie Tashjian? Tashjian, who is Rhode Island College’s all-time leader in shutouts, started 72 games over his career and earned Little East Conference first-team honors last season. The responsibility of backstopping the Anchormen this year fall onto the shoulders of junior Jake Reed, and sophomores Andrew Silva and Wesley Perrotto.
The Anchormen started the season hosting the United States Coast Guard Academy Bears. RIC would battle throughout the first half and the score was deadlocked at 0 heading into halftime. However, in the second half, the Bears would strike twice and the Anchormen would not be able to answer. RIC would fall to the Coast Guard Academy 2-0. RIC was outshot 12-3 in total shots and 4-0 in shots on goal. Reed would get the start in goal and make two saves.
RIC next traveled to Worcester State to take on the Lancers. The Anchormen wouldn’t be kept off the score sheet this game, finding the back of the goal after only two minutes. RIC held the one goal lead until the 35 minute mark when Worcester State would capitalize from the penalty spot and tie the game at 1. The Lancers would score again and take the 2-1 lead into halftime less than a minute later. Worcester would add a third goal in the 62nd minute, and the game ended as a 3-1 loss for the Anchormen. Reed would once again get the start in goal and make two saves. Larry Garcia would score his first collegiate goal for the Anchormen, with Christion Restrepo notching the assist on the goal.
The Anchormen, hungry for their first win, took on Nichols College. This game was action packed, but it was Nichols who found the net first and took the 1-0 lead in the 18th minute. RIC would tie the game a little more than eight minutes later with Anthony Recinos scoring a penalty kick. Anchormen’s Edward Pereira scored another penalty kick in the 41st minute, giving RIC a 2-1 lead going into halftime. RIC came out in the second half looking to add an insurance goal to secure the first win of the season. In the 71st minute, Jesus Guarcas would add a final goal for the Anchormen as they would see a 3-1 victory over Nichols. Reed started in goal for the Anchormen, making five saves before exiting and Perrotto, who relieved Reed, would make six saves. This win was the first collegiate win for Head Coach Kyle Froberg.
RIC then traveled to take on defending Division III Champions Connecticut College. The first half saw the Anchormen hold firm with the champions and see a 0-0 draw heading into halftime. However, the Anchormen would run out of steam in the second half when Connecticut College would find first blood and take a 1-0 lead in the 52nd minute. The Camels would add three more goals before the end of the game, taking the game to a final score of 4-0. Perrotto would backstop the Anchormen making four saves in the losing effort.
RIC ended the week taking on Western Connecticut College in Little East Conference play. The Anchormen, wanting to get back to their winning ways, looked to get out in front first. Western Connecticut would be the first to find the back of the net though, tallying the first goal in the 16th minute from a free kick. RIC would head into the break being outshot 8-1, but only trailing by the one goal. Western Connecticut then added a second goal in the 75th minute seemingly securing the win, but the Anchormen’s Recinos would score in the 86th minute giving the Anchormen late life. RIC would not be able to find the back of the net again, and would fall to Western Connecticut 2-1. Perrotto once again started in goal for the Anchormen making four saves.
The Anchormen are in action on Sept. 24 against Castleton University in a Little East Conference matchup.