Providence, RI. – The Worcester State men's soccer team fell 2-1 to Rhode Island College in a non-conference season opener. The soccer team played their first intercollegiate competition since the fall of 2019 on Saturday afternoon in Providence.

The game remained scoreless throughout the first 30 minutes of play. At the 32^nd minute mark, sophomore midfielder Manny Ramirez (Waltham, MA) fired a corner kick that was headed into the goal by senior defender Ethan Paiva (Dartmouth, MA) to break the scoreless tie.

The Anchormen of Rhode Island College answered in the 42^nd minute as senior midfielder Jonathan Oliveira (Providence, R.I.) received lead passes from sophomore midfielder Anthony Recinos (Providence, R.I.) and freshman midfielder Roy Barrios (Pawtucket, R.I.) to even the score at one apiece.

The two clubs entered the halftime break tied at one. RIC led in shots (8-3) and corner kicks (5-2) over the first 45 minutes.

In the 60^th minute of action, RIC's Oliveira launched a PK attempt into the bottom right corner of the Lancer net, besting sophomore goalkeeper Andy Ramirez (Waltham, MA), for the go-ahead goal and the ultimate game winner.

Patrick Mbarushimana (Worcester, MA) had a chance to tie the game for the Lancers late in the game on a one-on-one with senior goalkeeper Charlie Tashjian (West Warwick, R.I.), but the shot just missed the short side. WSU also had another game-tying opportunity off a scramble in the box, but was unable to net the equalizer.

RIC was able to pin the ball at the flag deep in Worcester territory to bleed the clock down over the final minutes, securing their first win of the 2021-2022 season.  

Ramirez had 9 saves on the game, while RIC's Tashjian had 2. The Lancers were outshot 18-10 on the loss. The Lancers fell to 0-1-0 on the season, while the Anchormen improved to 1-1-0.

The Lancers return to action Wednesday, September 8^th at 7pm for their home opener.

*release contributions credited to Rhode Island College Athletics