Eastern Connecticut State University

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- For 15 consecutive matches heading into Saturday's Little East Conference Quarterfinals matchup against third-seeded Rhode Island College on the road, sixth-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University Men's Soccer had held their opponent scoreless in the first half. However, three first-half goals from the Anchormen snapped that streak as Rhode Island College took its fifth all-time postseason victory against the Warriors, 3-0, ending Eastern's season with a 6-6-3 record.

For the Warriors, they got off to a hot start this year at 6-1-1, before dropping five of their last seven matches, including four straight in conference play. After sneaking into the tournament with a tie against the Anchormen coupled with a loss from Plymouth State University, Eastern was held in check for the full 90 minutes on Saturday as first-year goalkeeper Jake Raymond came up with four saves in the shutout win. 

To end the season, the Warriors were unable to score a goal in their final seven halves of soccer played, last finding the net in the eighth minute against UMass Boston on October 20th on a header from first-year forward Brad Balgach. Balgach led the team in scoring with four goals this year on a young Eastern squad that brought in 12 first-year players this season, several of which saw ample playing time or started most of the year, experience that will translate to growth for next season.

Sophomore midfielder Randy Vang got the scoring started for the Anchormen in the 11th minute, as the initial clear attempt by the Warriors was unsuccessful and in traffic, Vang fired on junior goalkeeper Jack Harmon, freezing him amid the traffic, for the first goal of the half.

Just over six minutes later, sophomore forward Moise Augustin added another as his breakaway behind the defense pulled Harmon out of the box, leading to Augustin's chip shot just under the crossbar. The third and final Rhode Island College goal would come in the 36th minute from senior midfielder Alijah Nunes, providing the Anchormen with the cushion they needed to advance to take on second-seeded UMass Boston next Wednesday.

Harmon closed the year with four saves in 72 minutes, while first-year Marek Nardi played the last 18 minutes of action, making one save in the 3-0 defeat. As a team, Eastern had five shots on goal, including a pair of big first-half opportunities by Balgach and senior midfielder Sebastian Kadlof, both of which were quelled by Raymond, as in all, the Warriors created 13 shot attempts and eight corner kicks offensively.