Isaac Bean
Sports Editor
Rhode Island College’s Men’s Soccer Team started off 4-0. After the hot start, the team began to struggle. The Anchormen then went on to go winless in four straight games. In the last six games the team had a record of 1-2-3. This gave them a combined record of 5-2-3 heading into their game on Saturday against the University of Southern Maine.
This game felt like a must win for the Anchormen. The team needed to get back on track in order to stay ahead in the race for a Little East Conference Championship. Graduate student Jonathan Oliveira had been on a roll heading into this game against the Huskies. Oliveira was coming off a three goal game against UMass Boston. He has had an incredible eleven goals on the season. The Huskies definitely had a game planned for him in this game.
When the game started, the weather was cloudy. As the game went to half time, it started to rain down on the field. With unfavorable weather, this game was a defensive battle. Sophomores Lucas Duquette and Daniel Gryzbacz were phenomenal as Defenders. They both did a great job of giving the Huskies little opportunities to score.
Midfielder Tariq Adio was making moves for the Anchormen offensive attack. His ball handling skills kept the Huskies on their toes the entire game. Despite a scoreless first half, it felt like the Anchormen were in control of the game.
The second half started off hot for the Anchormen. Oliveira quickly got a shot off. Not so long after freshman Cody Granville got another shot off. The offense felt like it was going to eventually score for the Anchormen. With how well the defense was playing, it felt like the Huskies were eventually going to break.
Finally in about the 70th minute of the game, junior midfielder Jesus Guarcas would score on a goal assisted by Granville to give the Anchormen a 1-0 lead late in the second half. The defense would hold strong to give RIC their much needed sixth win of the season.
In upcoming action, the Anchormen look to get a possible win streak going as they play at UMass Dartmouth on Wednesday Oct. 11th.