URI Beats UMass in Atlantic-10 Opener

Rams Earn Fifth Win of Year

October 13, 2008

KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island sophomore Dwayne Williams scored his second goal of the season to lift the Rams to a 1-0 victory over UMass in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams on Sunday afternoon at the URI Soccer Complex.

Dwayne Williams scored the lone goal for URI. (Photo courtesy: URI Athletics)

Junior goalkeeper Chris Pennock made seven saves in net for URI, recording his fourth shutout of the season.

After a scoreless first half, Rhody came back from the break recharged, forcing UMass goalkeeper Zack Simmons to make a pair of saves on shots by senior Kedan Crosby and senior Andres Perdomo within the first few minutes.

The Rams continued to apply the pressure and nearly got on the board in the 75th minute when junior Gary Crooks blasted a high shot that Simmons was able to pull down to keep the score at 0-0.

UMass' Stuart Thomson was yellow carded 13 minutes later, on what could have been a breakaway play for freshman Erkko Puranen. Instead, Crooks took the free kick and sent a long ball into the box where Williams headed the game's only goal past Simmons at the 87:33 mark. For Williams, the tally was his second game-winner of the season while Crooks picked up his team-leading fourth assist on the play.

With the victory, Rhode Island improves to 5-4-1 (1-0-0 Atlantic 10) while the Minutemen drop to 2-6-2 (0-1-0 Atlantic 10).

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