KINGSTON, R.I. – Joan Sanchis' 87th minute goal sent Rhode Island past visiting St. Bonaventure Saturday, 4-3.
The momentum appeared to be with the Bonnies late.
Trailing 3-2 in the 73rd minute, Kenzo Brito stood over a free kick just outside the box. His chance hit off the post and Umechi Akuazaoku was waiting to head home the rebound chance, tying the game at 3-3 and scoring his second goal of the night.
The Rams (6-1-2, 1-1-0 A-10), however, had possession in the 87th minute where Nate Yurkovic sent in a cross where Sanchis was waiting at the far post to head home the game-winning goal.
The Bonnies (3-5-2, 0-1-1 A-10) had a chance in the closing seconds following a long pass into the box but were unable to come away with a clean chance.
The high-scoring contest started fast.
Rhode Island opened the scoring in the 10th minute behind a left-footed shot from Inigo Etxegarai, giving the hosts an early lead.
The Bonnies were quick to answer as Callum Shillington's long ball into the scoring area was controlled by Akuazaoku. The senior took a touch and sent a shot into the bottom left corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1 in the 13th minute.
The deadlock did not last long as a deflection in the box during the 14th minute led to a St. Bonaventure own goal, giving the Rams back the lead, 2-1.
Mo Tall had a chance to draw the Bonnies even in the 27th minute, but his free kick sailed just wide of the net.
In the 34th minute, Rashid Aroza tried his luck on net but Rhode Island goalkeeper Nate DiLoreto made the save and sent the Rams into halftime with the lead.
Etxegarai struck again for the Rams in the 51st minute, giving the hosts a 3-1 advantage early in the second half.
Tall answered in the 56th minute, netting his first goal of the season off the feed from Shillington and bringing the Bonnies back within a goal.
Akuazaoku and Tall finished with three shots each while Keegan Dawson and Shillington added two shots apiece.
Nicolas Pucci made three saves in net for the Brown and White.
QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH KWAME ODURO
"We were a bit unlucky today to come out of this game with no points. We gave it our all and I am proud of the way we fought back after going down many times in the game."
UP NEXT
The Bonnies return home to host Davidson Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. at the Marra Athletics Complex.
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