Rhode Island Heads Past Hartford

Puranen Deposits Game-Winner

September 29, 2008

AMHERST, Mass. - Rhode Island freshman Erkko Puranen netted his team-leading fourth goal of the season in overtime to lead the Rams over Hartford, 1-0, Sunday afternoon at the UMass Invitational.

Erkko Puranen

URI's Erkko Puranen headed in the game-winning goal Sunday. (URI Athletics)

Junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock made three saves in net for URI, recording his second-consecutive shutout and third of the season.

After 100+ minutes of back-and-forth action where each team recorded 13 shots and three saves, URI senior Kedan Crosby sent a cross from the right flank to the front of the goal that found Puranen. The Finland native headed the ball past Hartford's Luke Citriniti for 1-0 Rhode Island victory.

“We played brilliantly in the second half. Sometimes the end result can be unjust,” saidHartford head coach Dan Gaspar. “I am proud of the way our team played today, and we continue to move the program in the right direction. I believe we are prepared to start conference play and look forward to this Saturday versus New Hampshire.”

Citriniti made his first collegiate start in goal for Hartford, making three stops in 100 minutes of action.

Puranen currently leads URI with four goals - including two overtime game-winners – and has found the back of the net in each of the Rams' last three wins.

With the victory, Rhode Island captured the UMass Invitational with a pair of shutouts and an undefeated record (1-0-1). Vermont (0-0-2) and Hartford (1-1-0) tied for second, while Massachusetts finished fourth with a 0-1-1.

Overall, URI improves to 4-3-1 while Hartford drops to 4-3-2.