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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Early Goal Gives URI 1-0 Win Over Soccer
October 24, 2009 | Men's Soccer
Oct. 24, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - In the midst of bands of heavy rain showers at Rudd Field, a Thomas Lindroos header in the 12th minute of play proved the difference as Rhode Island defeated the UMass men's soccer team 1-0 in a key Atlantic 10 match on Saturday. Both teams were in a five-way tie for fourth place in the league standings entering the match. UMass returns to action next Friday against Duquesne at Rudd Field (Noon).
Lindroos goal was set up after a UMass (5-5-3, 2-3-0 A-10) outside the 18-yard box on the left flank. Erkko Puranen played the ball towards the back post on the free kick where Andres Ruiz was able to track down the cross heading it back towards the center of the six-yard box. Lindroos was able to get free and headed home what proved the game-winning goal just 12 minutes, 34 seconds into the first half.
UMass' Bryant Craft nearly tied the game in the 29th minute after he was able to elude a defender drawing URI keeper Chris Pennock off the goal line. Craft flicked a shot from 15-yards out past Pennock, who slipped on the wet grass, but the ball skidded just left of the far goal post.
In the 71st minute, Rhode Island (6-7-1, 3-2-0 A-10) looked like it might add an insurance goal on a Michael Tanke strike from 25-yards out, but it deflected off the cross bar and the Minutemen were able to clear the rebound.
The Minutemen earned back-to-back corner kicks in the 84th minute, but were unable to convert either. After pulling a defenseman for an extra forward, UMass was able to pressure the Ram defense in the final minutes but could not find the equalizer.
For the game, Rhode Island outshot UMass 13-to-8, while the Minutemen had four corner kicks to one for the Rams. Both Pennock and UMass keeper Chris Piekos earned two saves in the match.
