Patriarca Scores as Defense Stifles Western Connecticut
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Danbury, Conn.-Senior forward Mike Patriarca (Warren, RI) notched a goal in the 26th minute and Rhode Island College held off a valiant comeback effort to hold on for a 1-0 victory over Western Connecticut in Little East Conference men's soccer action played at The WAC on Saturday afternoon. |
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Patriarca scored his fourth goal of the season and gave RIC (7-5, 3-1 LEC) the early lead after receiving a pass from sophomore midfielder Ignacio Cespedes (Fitchburg, MA) on the left side of the box. The senior's shot found the back right corner of the net, just past the outstretched hand of sophomore goalkeeper Jack Holub (Sherman, CT). |
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WestConn (1-8-2, 0-3-1 LEC) applied constant pressure in the second half and received even more impetus after going a man-up in the 74th minute. At that time, RIC senior midfielder Hector Espildora Fortuno (Malaga, Spain) was issued his second yellow card of the afternoon and ejected from the game. |
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The Colonials best chance to score came in the 84th minute, when junior midfielder Max Schneider's (New Milford, CT) blast from 25-yards away narrowly missed the right post. |
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RIC senior goalkeeper Nick Clark (East Bridgewater, MA) made just one save as his team held the Colonials to just five second-half shot attempts, this after WestConn did not attempt a single shot in the first half. Clark improves his record to 7-5, earning his second shutout of the season. |
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Holub made two saves, despite the Anchormen rattling off 18 shots in the contest. The sophomore falls to 0-6-2 on the season. |
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The Anchormen held a 12-1 advantage on corner kicks and drew the Colonials offsides 10 times. |
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In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to Lasell on Wednesday, Oct. 12 (3:30 p.m.). |
