Sept. 19, 2009

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. - The Rhode Island men's soccer team suffered a tough 5-0 loss to in-state rival Brown University, Saturday night at the URI Soccer Complex. The Bears scored three times in the first half and twice in the second frame to lock up the win.

"Hats off to Brown for coming in here and getting the job done," said Rhody head coach John O'Connor. "They got a couple of quick goals and were able to keep that momentum going through much of the game."

Dylan Remick opened the scoring at the 17:21 mark when he headed a David Walls corner kick past senior goalkeeper Chris Pennock (Sepnnymoor, England) for the 1-0 advantage. Evan Coleman's tally came just over a minute later when he sent a pass from Sean Rosa into the back of the net, doubling the Bears' lead. Jon Okafor netted Brown's third goal on a hard shot to the left corner in the 34th minute. TJ Thompson was credited with an assist on the play.

Rhody's best scoring opportunity of the half came with just three minutes left when junior Andres Ruiz (Providence, R.I.) served a dangerous ball into the box but Brown keeper Paul Grandstrand was able to punch it away before the Rams could do any damage.

Ruiz continued to create chances in the second half, placing a free kick in the box in the 51st minute, but sophomore Erkko Puranen's (Viitasaari, Finland) header skimmed just wide of the goal.

Austin Mandel recorded Brown's final two goals, scoring first on an unassisted breakaway from 30 yards out before finishing a play set up by Nick Elenz-Martin and Okafor.

For the game, Rhody out-cornered Brown, 5-4, but it was the Bears holding a 16-8 advantage in shots.

Pennock - who played the first 60:42 - finished the night with four saves while sophomore Peyton Warwick (Prairie Village, Kan.) made two stops the remainder of the way. Paul Grandstrand (65:21) and Jarrod Schlenker (24:39) split time between the posts for Brown but neither was tested with a shot on goal.

"They're a well-rounded squad that's only conceded one goal so far this season" added O'Connor. "Facing good, quality opponents like this is what helps us get better. This game gives us a lot that we can learn and grow from."

The loss drops Rhody to 2-4-0 on the season while Brown improves to 4-0-1.

The Rams will be back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Yale for a 7:30 p.m. meeting with the Bulldogs.