KINGSTON, R.I. – Junior Fabrizio
Savarino's goal in the 86th minute proved to be the
game-winner against Rhode Island in the 2-1 victory against the
Rams on Friday evening at the URI Soccer Complex.
The Bonnies improve to 8-6 on the season and 4-2 in the Atlantic
10. The eight victories match head coach Mel Mahler's
first season at St. Bonaventure when the team finished 8-9-1 in
2005.
“This is a great conference road win. It was a great game
for both teams. URI put us under a lot of pressure and I'm
proud of our players' ability to stay focus and defend as a
team,” said Mahler. “What was more impressive was the
determination to get the winning goal after they tied the game. We
didn't get down on ourselves and we found a way to
win.”
On Savarino's game-winner, senior Sam Maheu crossed the
ball in front of the net, Savarino turned to score his fifth goal
of the season past keeper Chris Pennock. The goal is the second
game-winning tally of the season.
The Bonnies went up in the first half on Maheu's team-best
10th season goal. Junior Kevin Okapal sent a
pass up the right side to Maheu that shot it to the top of the net.
Maheu now has 27 points on the season and 54 career-points to sit
one point away from seventh on the all-time scoring list.
Rhode Island evened the score at 76:19 off a service from Gary
Crooks to Thomas Lindroos who headed it past keeper David Flynn. Flynn
picked up seven saves in the win
The Bonnies continue conference play on the road against
Massachusetts. The Bonnies' match up against the Minutemen
starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday.