Stats

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Rhode Island men's soccer team posted a season-opening 2-1 victory over Providence, Monday afternoon at PC's Glay Field. Junior Callum Bissett (Pencaitland, Scotland) and senior Jeffrey Gonsalves (Markham, Ontario) each scored goals for the Rams.

Providence took the lead in the 11th minute when Alex Bury bent a free kick around the wall of defenders and into the top right corner of the net. However, the Rams evened things up just before the half when junior Dawid Badecki (Jelenia Gora, Poland) curled a set piece around the Friar defense, finding Bissett, who headed the ball past PC goalkeeper Chris Konopka for the equalizer.

URI went ahead early in the second half on strong individual effort by Gonsalves, who controlled the ball just past the midfield line and fended off a pack of defenders before firing a left-footed shot past Konopka from 10 yards out. The goal proved to be the game-winner as PC failed to find the back of the net through the remainder of regulation.

Rhode Island is back in action on Friday, September 1 when it hosts Villanova at 7:30 p.m.