Sept. 1, 2006

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island men's soccer team played to a scoreless tie with Villanova in the second game of the Rhode Island Soccer Classic on Friday, September 1. Senior Jeffrey Gonsalves (Markham, Ontario) and sophomore Kevin Hamill (Easton, Conn.) each had three shots on goal for the Rams.

Rhode Island controlled play through much of the first half, outshooting the Wildcats by a 9-5 margin. Villanova did, however, have an excellent scoring opportunity at the 27:19 mark when Danny DeMasters drilled a shot at URI's goalkeeper Mark Sauter (Columbus, Ohio) from point blank range. Sauter made a quick jump and was able to punch the ball over the crossbar and keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard.

In the second half, Hamill had a good look as he took the ball into the box and fired a quick shot that Villanova's Jason Friel was able to tap over the top of the net. URI continued an aggressive attack and had a chance to net a game-winner with less than three minutes to go when Friel came up big with his 11th save of the game.

After a scoreless first overtime, Villanova's Joe Taylor almost ended the game 30 seconds into the second OT when his shot sailed over Sauter and deflected off the crossbar. Gonsalves had one more chance to seal Rhody victory in the final minutes but was stopped by Friel who was solid throughout the night, totaling 13 saves.

The Rhode Island men's soccer team (1-0-1) returns to action on Sunday, September 2 when it faces #23 Old Dominion (1-1-0) in at 2:30 p.m.