Sept. 14, 2004

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Senior Sasha Gotsmanov (Woodbury, Minn.) moved into 19th place on the University of Rhode Island's all-time scoring list with two goals to lead the No. 21 ranked Rams to a 3-0 win over in-state rival Providence on Tuesday night in front of 932 fans at the URI Soccer Complex.

The Rams received a No. 21 national ranking earlier Tuesday by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, but did not have a letdown, winning their fourth-straight game since a 2-1 overtime loss to Lafayette in the season opener.

"This was a good win, PC played well, but we did what we had to do," Rhode Island head coach Ed Bradley said. "We're finding a way to win. We're on a little bit of a roll right now and hopefully we can keep it going."

Gotsmanov's two goals gave him a team-high five on the season and brought his career point total to 54, which is 19th in URI school history.

Sophomore Joe Spofford (Waterville, Maine) scored his first goal of the season that proved to be the game-winner with 2:04 remaining in the first half. Senior Emerson Aquilera (Tulsa, Okla.) carried the ball along the end line and crossed it right in front of the goal, where Spofford came sliding in and pushed the ball across the goal line.

The score remained 1-0 until the 76th minute, when Gotsmanov scored his fourth goal of the season, taking a cross from freshman Lukasz Tumicz (Bisztynek, Poland) and beating the keeper from two yards out.

Gotsmanov scored his 54th career point with 27 seconds left, when junior David Ward-Smith (Smithfield, R.I.) crossed the ball to sophomore Jeffrey Gonsalves (Markham, Ontario) and Gonsalves fired a shot that was blocked, but Gotsmanov collected the ball and dribbled by the keeper and tapping the ball across the goal line.

Junior goalkeeper Dean Ruddy (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) posted his third shutout of the season, making two saves.

The Rams play in the Oregon State Invitational this weekend against Oregon State and Vermont.