WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Junior Dennis Vazquez deposited a direct kick from the left of the box into the upper part of the net inside the far post to send the Rhode Island College men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Eastern Connecticut State University in the Little East Conference opener for both teams Saturday afternoon at Thomas Nevers Field.

The goal was the first allowed by Eastern (4-2-0, 0-1-0 LEC) in the last 367 minutes and 40 seconds and the first given up by the Warriors at Nevers Field this year, after three consecutive 2-0 non-conference victories in a span of seven days. The teams have played to a 1-0 decision five of the last six times they have met at Nevers, with Rhode Island (2-3-1, 1-0-0 LEC) having won for the second straight time after the Warriors captured the first three.

A Little East playoff finalist last year, Rhode Island has won its last two after opening the season with a four-game winless (0-3-1) streak.

Five minutes before the winning goal, Rhode Island had forced Eastern junior goalkeeper Ryan Murphy (Cromwell) to make his first save of the half, and the Anchormen followed minutes later with a corner kick and shot by Preston Kar which said sailed wide.

Vazquez's free kick was perfectly-placed, creasing the upper part of the net beyond the reach of Murphy.

Freshman Charlie Tashjian posted his first career shutout in his fourth start, stopping seven Eastern shots, with five of his saves coming in the second half.

Eastern's final bid to tie the game came with five minutes left, when sophomore Griffin Luczek (Lee, NH) was stymied by Tashjian.

Eastern held slim margins in shots (14-12) and corner kicks (5-4), but RIC was whistled for twice as many fouls (14-7).

Eastern visits Gordon College Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Fighting Scots lead the all-time series, 3-2, having won each of the last two meetings.