URI beats PC in Double Overtime in Soccer Season Opener for Both Schools

PC soccer news release…

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College men’s soccer team fell to Rhode Island, 2-1, in double overtime on Aug. 26 at Chapey Field at Anderson Stadium in Providence, R.I. The Rams tallied the game-winning goal in the 109th minute.

URI took a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute as Solvi Palsson connected off a feed from Emil Jesman Sunde. The Friars nearly tallied the equalizer in the eighth minute as Klisman Sousa (Sal, Cape Verde) directed a header on frame, but the Rams’ goalkeeper turned away the attempt.

Providence tied the game, 1-1, in the 29th minute as Julian Gressel (Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany) intercepted a pass that was directed toward the Rams’ goalkeeper and tucked it inside the left post for his first goal of the season.

The Friars’ Brendan Reardon (Nesconset, N.Y.) ripped an attempt at the net from point-blank range in the 41st minute, but URI’s Nils Leifhelm was in position to make his fourth save of the night and keep the score level, 1-1.

At halftime, Providence held a 7-2 advantage in shots, including a 5-1 edge in shots on goal. The Friars also led in corner kicks through the first 45 minutes of play, 3-1.

In the second half, the Friars had several quality chances on their offensive end. Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.), the BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, laced a free kick toward goal that was punched over the crossbar by Leifhelm in the 69th minute. Less than 30 seconds later, Mark Jecewiz (Smithtown, N.Y.) redirected a corner kick on a header, but the attempt went wide.

In the 76th minute freshman Joao Serrano (Evora, Portugal) fed Gressel with a beautiful pass inside the box, but Gressel’s shot was denied as it ricocheted off the left post.

Rhode Island put the pressure on with four-consecutive corner kicks inside the 83rd and 85th minutes. In the 84th minute, Stavros Zarokostas got loose inside the box with only the goalkeeper to beat, but Ben Seguljic (Rye Brook, N.Y.) aggressively challenged the play and deflected the strike away from the cage.

At the end of regulation, the game remained tied, 1-1. Providence posted a 16-10 advantage in shots and 8-7 edge in corner kicks after 90 minutes of action.

The match remained tied, 1-1, after the first 10-minute overtime session. Each team recorded one shot, but neither attempt was on frame.

The Rams tallied the game-winning goal in the 109th minute as Ryan Bailey fired a low shot from 5-yards outside of the box into the lower left corner of the net. Carlo Davids was credited with the assist.

Seguljic finished the night with three saves, while Leifhelm collected seven saves for the Rams.

The Friars return to action on Sunday, Aug. 28 against ACC foe Clemson in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers are currently ranked No. 3 in the NSCAA Preseason Poll.