Unanswered goals lead URI over Davidson

The Rhode Island men’s soccer team took down Davidson by a final of 2-1 Saturday in Kingston.

At just 12:26 into the contest, the Wildcats (1-8) were able to grab an early 1-0 lead. On a slip pass into the box from Hunter Howard, Davidson’s leading scorer, Maxi Pragnell put his fourth goal of the season into the back of the net.

The Wildcats’ first goal and lead of the year wasn’t safe for long though, as Niklas Middrup was able to head in a corner kick off the foot of Stavros Zarokostas just 17 minutes later. Middrup’s second goal of the season evened up the score at 1-1, as the match remained tied until halftime.

Just two minutes into the second half, a give-and-go sequence between Emil Jesman Sunde and Carlo Davids resulted in Ryan Bailey’s first goal of the year giving the Rams (4-6-1) a 2-1 lead.

Play from the URI defense was solid throughout the rest of the second half and Bailey’s early goal would prove to be enough for the team to secure their season opener.

Turning away each of the five shots he faced after Bailey’s goal, Rams’ goalkeeper Nils Leifhelm made sure his team would leave the pitch with a win, snapping the five game losing streak they carried with them into the match.

URI looks to build off of Saturday’s win as they travel to Philadelphia on Wednesday night to take on Saint Joseph’s at 7 p.m. Davidson hopes to turn things around when they travel to Durham on Tuesday to take on Duke at 7 p.m.

2-0 shutout gives VCU first conference victory of season

A soft offensive performance from the George Mason men’s soccer team allowed Virginia Commonwealth University to put up a 2-0 shutout Saturday night.

At the Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond, a strong defensive presence from the Rams (3-5-2) shocked the Patriots (2-6-2), who were only able to get off seven shots throughout the entire contest.

With just one of those attempts making its way to VCU goalkeeper Pierre Gardan in the ninth minute, the Rams had plenty of opportunities on the attack of their own, putting eight of 20 shots on net.

Gardan’s efforts in goal Saturday combined with another shutout last Tuesday against Akron awarded him this week’s Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week award.

In the 36th minute, Jorge Herranz was able to start the scoring for VCU on a shot from eight yards out which found its way into the back of the net. On an assist from redshirt sophomore Eli Lockaby, Herranz’s goal marked his third of the year, and moved him into a tie for second overall on the team.

Although one would prove to be enough, the Rams added onto their lead with an insurance goal in the 79th minute.

Off the foot of lead-scorer and last week’s Offensive Player of the Week, Luc Fatton, the goal inside the Patriots’ box was assisted once again by Lockaby, who totals three assists and a goal for four points this season.

VCU looks to continue their early season success on Wednesday when they travel to George Washington to face the Colonials at 2 p.m. The Patriots will travel back to Fairfax on Saturday to host Saint Joseph’s at 7 p.m. in their A-10 home opener.

Liam Flaherty can be reached at [email protected].