(BRISTOL, R.I.) – The top-seeded Roger Williams University Men's Soccer team began play in the 2012 ECAC Division III Men's Soccer Championships with a 2-0 win over the #8 seed Lesley University.
Both teams played through howling winds and rain, leaving the two squads cold and wet as they fought through the adverse weather conditions.
The opening of the game saw both teams attempting to adjust to the weather, as long passes knuckled through the air due to the strong wind gusts coming off the Mount Hope Bay.
The Hawks were able to break through in the 13th minute, with Bradley Macdonald (Topsfield, Mass.) taking a pass from Andrew Carlson (Ridgefield, Conn.) from the right side and putting one up the middle for his fourth score of the season.
RWU nearly added another score in the 36th minute, but a timely save by Lesley keeper Nigel Leahy (New Paltz, N.Y.) kept the score at 1-0 heading into the second half.
In the second period, both teams continued to fight through the wind and the rain, but neither team was able to score early on. Lynx freshman Chris Hunt (San Diego, Calif.) had his shot attempt turned away by Jon Pelloso (Wilbraham, Mass.) in the 77th minute to keep the Hawk lead at one.
Less than two minutes later, the Hawks would tack on a crucial insurance goal by Macdonald for the second time on the day. Daniel Caruso (Tewksbury, Mass.) put up a corner kick that found Billy Kissane (Glastonbury, Conn.), who would then for Macdonald for the score.
The 2-0 advantage held on for the Hawks, who advanced to the ECAC Semifinals.
Pelloso made five saves for the Hawks in the game, earning the win in 50:15 of playing time. Tom Mangels (Garden City, N.Y.) also saw 39:45 of action, making one stop in the game.
Leahy took the loss for Lesley, stopping six shots on the day.
Roger Williams (16-5-0) hosts Husson University at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday in the ECAC Semifinals. Husson tied Norwich 1-1 in double overtime, then advanced via a 4-2 shootout. Lesley closes out the season with a record of 12-6-2.
RELEASE COURTESY OF ROGER WILLIAMS SPORTS INFORMATION