September 22, 2008

BULLDOGS TRY TO SNAP LOSING STREAK; TRAVEL TO MAINE AND ST. FRANCIS THIS WEEKEND

SMITHFIELD, RI- After suffering three straight losses last week, the Bryant University men's soccer team looks to snap a five game winless streak as they travel to take on the University of Maine and St. Francis College this weekend. The Bulldogs were shutout in all three matches last week, and have managed just four goals on the season through eight games. The squad suffered a 3-0 loss at Hartford followed by a trip to Virginia that featured a 7-0 loss to defending Colonial Athletic Association champions, Old Dominion, and a 5-0 loss to James Madison.  Bryant is still in search of their first road win of the season (0-6-1 record), with their first Division I win coming at a neutral site when they beat the Richmond Spiders , 2-0, at VCU.

Scouting the Black Bears
The University of Maine Black Bears are playing their second game of a four game homestand, after playing to a scoreless tie with Northeastern on Saturday. The Black Bears (2-4-1) have won games over Adelphi and Long Island University, while suffering losses to Rhode Island, Sacred Heart, Yale and Iona. Maine was selected to finish ninth in the preseason America East poll, despite returning their three top scorers from 2007. Senior forward Dmitri Anastasiou tallied four goals last season, while Sophomore Thomas McCole added two goals and an assist.

This season, the Black Bears have been led by Nikola Bogdanovic, who as put home one goal while dishing out two assists. McCole is second on the team in scoring with one goal and one assist, while Anastasiou has added a goal of his own. Maine has been outscored 9-6 by their opponents through the first seven games, and outshot 108-77. The majority of playing time in net has gone to Nemanja Kostic, who has recorded a 1-2-1 record, while making 23 saves and allowing five goals in 476 minutes.

Scouting the Terriers
The St. Francis College (NY) Terriers are off to their best start since the 2000 season, posting a 5-1-1 mark through their first seven games, including having won their last three matches. The squad is now ranked third in the North Atlantic Region in the latest NSCAA/ Adidas Poll. The lone loss for the Terriers came at the hands of Niagara (ranked number two in the North Atlantic Region), 2-0, on September 7^th.

Sophomore forward John Sallhag leads the way for St. Francis. Last year's NEC Rookie of the Year has recorded two goals (one game-winner) and three assists so far in 2008, leading the team with seven points. Keeper Chris Antonio has stifled opponents; allowing just three goals while making 22 saves in 661 minutes, goof for a 0.41 goals against average. The Terriers have been a second half team, outscoring opponents 8-2 while holding a 51-30 advantage in shots in the second period of play.

Fresh Faces
The Bulldog roster features 14 freshman this year, as well as two transfers. The new class has accounted for nine of the eleven total points for the team. Freshman Ben Mello (Rehoboth, Mass.) leads the team in points with four (2g, 0a) on the season, including the game tying goal in the 88^th minute at Pittsburgh. Classmate Robb Rodriguez (North Branford, Conn.) is second on the team with three points (1g, 1a), while Anthony Restivo (Lisbon, Conn.) and Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) have each notched one assist. 

The Bulldogs will be in action Friday night against Maine(7 p.m.) before travelling to St. Francis (NY) on Sunday afternoon. Check www.bryantbulldogs.com for updates.