Kaicie Boeglin
News Editor
Rhode Island Futsal Club added their first clean sheet game to their record books this past Saturday, with a game against the Charleston Battery at Beirne Studium. The Rhode Island FC maintained great saves on behalf of Jackson Lee, ending the game with a 0-0 score.
Despite a rainy night, the game was filled with fans cheering for both clubs. The first half of the game saw each team hold great defense. In the second half when Charleston midfielder Juan Torres attempted to give his team the lead by launching a left footed shot to the right of the net, the stadium exploded in suspense. Luckily for the RIFC, Lee dove in for a one-handed save.
Three minutes after this save RIFC captain Conor McGlynn attempted a left footed shot that went too far. The effort was there but the ball went too high and missed the nets frame keeping the match tied at zero.
At the 66th minute the RIFC fanbase interrupted as Joe Brito went in for a shot at close range, but kicked too high causing the ball to bounce off the crossbar. In the 70th minute an aerial challenge was mistimed by McGlynn causing him to receive his second yellow card. His absence was felt through the rest of the match as the team finished with only 10 players on the pitch. They fought till the very last whistle under head coach Khano Smith. Going down to only 10 players, the team still limited the Charleston battery to just four shots in the final 20 minutes.
RIFC spent the last four games on a streak of keeping opponents scoreless throughout the first half. This game is the first game in which RIFC did not score a goal and it saw Lee make a career-high six saves, claiming the Man of the Match performance.
The Rhode Island FC will play another home game at the Beirne Stadium on Saturday April 13 against The Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Tickets can be purchased by calling 401-955-RIFC (7432) or by visiting rhodeislandfc.com/tickets.