BY JONNY WALKER, STAFF WRITER
The St. Bonaventure University men’s soccer team lost to Rhode Island Saturday at URI Soccer Complex, dropping their second-consecutive game 4-0.
The Bonnies (1-6-1, 1-1) registered just four shots on goal, three from freshman forward Matthew Wrobel, as the Rams (6-3-1, 2-1) dominated possession throughout. Rhode Island registered 16 shots, nine on goal, in the contest.
In the 38th minute, midfielder Edvin Akselsen dribbled through the St. Bonaventure defense. His unassisted goal put the Rams up 1-0 going into halftime. Coming out of halftime, however, the Bonnies allowed two goals within fifteen minutes of play. This was the second-consecutive game the Bonnies have lost being down just one goal at half.
In the 52nd minute, Rams midfielder Kevin Castaneda scored the opening goal after receiving a cross from forward Rafa Villanueva. Scorekeepers also credited forward Isak Oystese with an assist on the play.
In the 59th minute, midfielder Ivan Montoro and Villanueva played a give-and-go before finding Akselsen for his second goal of the game. It was also Rhode Island’s second double-assisted goal of the game.
In the 79th minute, junior forward Patrick Agyemang stole the ball from the St.Bonaventure defense. Agyemang beat Bonnies goalkeeper Trevor Wilson one-on-one for the Rams’ season-high fourth goal of the game.
Despite the final score, team morale remained high for the Bonnies.
“We were definitely in that game and could have pulled a result from it,” said junior forward Joshua Pulla. “I do not think the score line on our last game out against Rhode Island showed what happened in the match, and it will definitely not define our season.”
Head coach Kwame Oduro flipped between starting goalkeepers Trevor Wilson and Justyn Sandhu earlier this season. Despite allowing four goals in his last start, Trevor Wilson got the nod for the third consecutive game. However, after Wilson once again allowed four goals, head coach Kwame Oduro would not commit to one keeper going forward.
“I’ve always said both goalkeepers are good,” said Oduro. “We look at the teams we’re going to play, and does it make sense—does the matchup make sense—to have a certain goalkeeper. Again, I don’t mind either one—Justyn or Trevor. We will decide today on which one we want to stick with.”
Despite his team’s two-game losing streak, Oduro’s message to his players remains constant.
“Coach Kwame has told us that we have to fight and work hard to get all 3 points,” said Pulla. “The same way we did against Davidson, we can battle with any team in this conference. He has made it clear that there is a lot more soccer to be played this season.”
The Bonnies will face last-place George Mason Wednesday in their third conference game of the season.
“George Mason is, I think, 0-2 in conference, and in the A-10 you just gotta win at home,” said Oduro. “So, our job is to go steal points away from home. I think they’re a talented team; they’re young, but a talented team. Can we show our quality and our experience on a road game like that?”
Update: St. Bonaventure defeated George Mason in double overtime Wednesday at George Mason Stadium. Fredrik Hansen evened the score at 1-1 in the 67th minute. Francesco Caorsi scored the game-winning goal in the 104th minute.
walkerjc20@bonaventure.edu
