Oct. 11, 2009

Box Score

CINCINNATI - Despite holding on to a 2-0 lead midway through the second half, the Rhode Island men's soccer team suffered a 3-2 overtime defeat Sunday afternoon at Xavier. The loss drops the Rams to 3-7-1 (0-2-0) while Xavier improves to 2-6-1 (1-0-0).

Junior Matt Preyss (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) tallied the first goal of the game just after the start of the second half when he took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Xavier defense and found the back of the net to put Rhody in front, 1-0, at the 47:21 mark. For Preyss, the goal was the first of his career.

Senior Gary Crooks (Falkirk, Scotland) then doubled Rhody's lead when he scored off a pass from classmate Domenic Petrarca (Providence, R.I.) in the 68th minute.

Xavier's Ryan Gray made it a 2-1 game when he netted a cross from Alexander Thompson at 76:00 before the Musketeers evened the score with 2:53 left in regulation on a one-timer by El-Hadji Dieng. Assists were credited to Luke Spencer and Kennedy Nakwa.

Spencer, Dieng and Nakwa would connect again - this time in OT - when Spencer netted the game-winner off assists from Dieng and Nakwa.

For the game, both teams recorded five shots on goal while URI held a 7-6 advantages in corner kicks. Senior Chris Pennock (Spennymoor, England) finished with two saves while Andre Bezerra stopped three shots for the Musketeers.

The Rams return to action on Friday, Oct. 17 (Chariho Youth Soccer Night) when they host Saint Joseph's at 7 p.m.