Sept. 7, 2004

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - Sophomore Jeffrey Gonsalves (Markham, Ontario) scored two goals as the University of Rhode Island men's soccer team defeated Harvard 3-1 Tuesday night before 1,104 fans at the newly renovated URI Soccer Complex.

"We played well," Rhode Island head coach Ed Bradley said. "This new playing surface is conducive to the controlled way we like to play. We gave them a cheap goal, but we passed the ball well. We're going to get better and better as the year goes on."

The Rams (2-1-0) out-shot Harvard (0-1) by a 17-4 margin for the game, but the score was tied 1-1 until Rhode Island senior Sasha Gotsmanov (Woodbury, Minn.) scored on a direct free kick from 30 yards out with 5:38 to play in the game.

That goal, Gotsmanov's second of the season, turned out to be the game winner, but Gonsalves added an insurance tally with 34 seconds remaining off of assists from Joe Spofford (Waterville, Maine) and John Kochis (Naugatuck, Conn.).

Gonsalves had put the Rams on the board when Gotsmanov brought the ball into the box and ran into a double team, but found Gonsalves streaking down the left side and the sophomore converted for a 1-0 lead.

Despite the Rams holding a distinct advantage in shots, that's how the score remained until Harvard took advantage of a Rhody mistake to tie the game. Harvard's Charles Altchek intercepted a pass that was directed back toward Rhode Island goalkeeper Dean Ruddy (Mt. Prospect, Ill.) and Altchek lofted a shot over Ruddy that the keeper had no chance of saving.

Ruddy finished with one save on the night while Harvard keeper Ryan Johnson made six saves.

Rhode Island travels to Northeastern for a 6 p.m. game on Saturday and returns home to take on in-state rival Providence next Tuesday at 7 p.m.