Late Lead Doesn't Hold Up as WNE Downs RIC, 2-1

Providence, RI-The Rhode Island College men's soccer team watched a 1-0 lead disappear in a matter of minutes, as the Western New England Golden Bears rallied in the second half behind a pair of senior midfielder Shawn Fitzpatrick (Burnt Hills, NY) goals to knock off the Anchormen, 2-1, on Sunday afternoon at the RIC Soccer Field.

Both offenses were silent throughout the first half as the two teams played stingy defense. In fact, the only shot on net in the first half came in the 31^st minute when senior forward Austin Santolini (Agawam, MA) was denied by RIC's senior goalkeeper Nick Clark (East Bridgewater, MA). The best opportunity for either squad came in the 22^nd minute when Rhode Island College (1-3) senior forward Mike Patriarca (Warren, RI) drilled a shot just a few feet wide of the net after breaking through the Western New England (5-1) back unit.

The Anchormen struck first in the second half after a beautifully executed offensive possession in the 49^th minute. Freshman midfielder David Ricci (Smithfield, RI) intercepted a pass and immediately dished the ball to senior forward Bruno Costa (Pawtucket, RI), who relayed it to freshman midfielder Peter Amoriggi (Smithfield, RI) in the far corner. Amoriggi then lined a perfectly placed crossing pass in front of the net that was received by sophomore midfielder Ignacio Cespedes (Fitchburg, MA), who found the back of the net for the first goal of the game and his first of the season. The assist was Costa's first of the season and Amoriggi's second.

Ten minutes later, the Golden Bears had a chance to answer back when sophomore forward Jake Bartnik (East Longmeadow, MA) slipped through the defense untouched for a breakaway opportunity. However, Clark rejected the shot attempt from Western New England's leading scorer to keep the lead intact.

It took until the 73^rd minute for the Golden Bears to get on the board, but they finally found the back of the net when the Fitzpatrick ripped a free kick from just beyond the top of the box to tie the game.

With the momentum clearly shifting in its direction, it didn't take long for Western New England to answer once more. A defensive lapse in the 76^th minute led to a three-on-one break for the Golden Bears in which senior midfielder Corey Howard (Hopedale, MA) found Bartnik wide open to the right of the net. Once again one-on-one with Clark, Bartnik wound up to shoot, only to pass out front to a streaking Fitzpatrick, who easily scored what proved to be the game-winning goal on an empty net. With the two goals, Fitzpatrick now has four on the season.

Clark made four saves in the loss and now drops to 1-3 on the season. Meanwhile, Western New England sophomore goalkeeper Domenick Villano (Bronxville, NY) made three saves in the victory and improves to 3-0 on the year.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College heads to Beverly, Massachusetts for a 7 p.m. tilt with Endicott on Tuesday evening.