Kristian Driscoll scored his third goal of the season.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Sophomore midfielder Austin Dias (Smithfield, RI) netted the game-winning goal with 15 seconds remaining in the first overtime period to propel the Rhode Island College men’s soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Westfield State on Wednesday night at the RIC Soccer Field.
Rhode Island College improves to 4-9-1 overall and picks up its first non-conference victory since its 1-0 win over Husson on Sept. 1. Westfield State falls to 5-8-1.
The Owls struck first in the opening minutes of action when senior defender Chris Monette (Wilbraham, MA) delivered a perfect ball to junior midfielder Kristian Driscoll (Lexington, MA), who was streaking down the field. Upon receiving the pass, Driscoll broke through the Rhode Island College defense and chipped a shot past sophomore goalkeeper Christopher Duarte (Cumberland, RI) for the game’s first goal in just the fifth minute of play.
Trailing by one, the Anchormen responded in the 12th minute after freshman midfielder Camilo Estrada (Pawtucket, RI) connected with sophomore forward Emmanuel Asiedu (Lincoln, RI) on a long pass to the center of the box. Asiedu managed to sidestep a pair of defenders and dished the ball left to freshman forward Kevin Arboleda (Pawtucket, RI), who ripped a shot past junior goalkeeper Kris Carrington (Agawam, MA) and tied the game at one.
Both teams had a bevy of opportunities throughout the remainder of regulation, but neither squad could capitalize as RIC and Westfield State went into overtime deadlocked at one. The two defenses held their ground in the overtime period, until the Anchormen made a last ditch effort in the waning seconds of the frame.
Surrounded by a trio of defenders, Asiedu sliced through the Westfield State defense with less than 25 seconds left in the period and sent a pass into the center of the box for Dias, who was charging towards the net. Dias took the pass as he eluded a defender and chipped a shot that just slipped past Carrington and sent Rhode Island College to victory.
The Owls held a 17-15 advantage in shots, but the Anchormen held a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks.
Duarte (4-9-1) made seven saves in the win, while Carrington (3-4) stopped four shots in the loss.
