Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Rhode Island men's soccer team fell to 18th-ranked Charlotte, 5-2, on Sunday afternoon. The loss ends Rhody's 2010 campaign at 3-13-2 (1-7-1), while Charlotte - the Atlantic 10's regular season champion - improves to 13-5-0 (8-1-0).

The 49ers jumped out to an early lead as Evan James sent a 30-yard strike to the back of the net at the 4:29 mark but the Rams responded with a goal of their own just 16 seconds later when senior Greg Balicki scored off a cross from junior Reece Markman to make it 1-1 after just 4:45 of play. Senior Jonathan Pereira also picked up an assist on the tally.

Charlotte reclaimed the lead just over a minute later - on a goal by Donnie Smith - before making it 3-1 on an unassisted tally by Charles Rodriguez in the 28th minute. Andres Cuero went on to put the home team in front, 4-1, when he made good on a penalty kick at the 35:55 mark.

After the break, Cuero struck again when he headed a cross from Owen Darby past URI's Peyton Warwick for the 5-1 advantage.

The Rams did not back down though, finding the back of the net once more - on junior Eric Hutson's second goal in as many games - with just 2:27 left on the clock. Senior Dwayne Williams and redshirt freshman Joey Haught both were credited with assists on the tally.

Overall, the Niners held a 9-5 advantage in shots on goal and out-cornered Rhody, 9-4. Warwick finished with two saves in 60:52 of action while redshirt senior Anthony Tavares turned away two shots over the final 29:08. For Charlotte, Klay David (84:37) made two stops while Gavin Dawson (5:23) had one. Both keepers allowed one goal.