PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Freshman midfielder Dominic Nnadi (Suleja, Nigeria) converted a penalty kick with just 15 seconds left in regulation to lift the Rhode Island College men's soccer team to a 2-1 win over visiting Bridgewater State University on Wednesday evening at Alumni Field.
RIC saw its first opportunity to score in the 12th minute when freshman forward Thomas Aldana (Providence, R.I.) was fouled in the box, which led to a penalty kick attempt by senior midfielder Kevin Tay Munoz (Providence, R.I.). The shot was dramatically saved by Bears' senior goalkeeper Nate Morgado (Dartmouth, Mass.), who made a full extension diving stop to his right to keep the game scoreless.
Bridgewater State had an opportunity to take the lead in the 42nd minute when junior forward Kevin Roberts (Medway, Mass.) had his close range shot saved by RIC junior goalkeeper Charlie Tashjian (West Warwick, R.I.).
RIC held a slim lead in shots, 9-7, at the half, while the visitors led in corner kick opportunities, 2-1.
The second half was sluggish for both teams and the game appeared to be heading for overtime until the 82nd minute. RIC junior forward Sa-Leem Kamarah (Providence, R.I.) took a turnaround left-footed shot from the right side of the box that hooked over Morgado and bounced off the post and in.
Bridgewater State quickly mounted an offensive onslaught and the Anchormen were back on their heels for the next four minutes. The Bears shocked the Anchormen with the equalizer in 87th minute when freshman forward Will Halben (Attleboro, Mass.) potted his first collegiate goal. Halben fired a shot off through traffic in the box to tie the contest at 1-1.
Once again the game appeared to be heading for extra time until RIC sophomore midfielder Brandon Ramos (Boston, Mass.) chased down a ball that appeared to be heading over the end line in the BSU zone. Ramos kept the ball in play and made a great move around his defender to break in from the side of the box. Ramos was hauled down with 15 seconds left and led to Nnadi's penalty kick heroics.
RIC finished with an 18-15 shot advantage for the game and a slight 4-3 edge in corner kick attempts.
Tashjian made six saves to pick up his second win of the season. Morgado turned aside eight shots in the setback for the Bears.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday afternoon. The Bears travel to Wentworth to take on the Leopards at noon, while the Anchormen entertain the Bison of Nichols College at one.