Knights End Season with Hard Fought Draw at Massasoit!

10.31.19

Warwick, R.I. – October 31, 2019: The CCRI Knights men’s soccer team traveled to Brockton, MA to take on the Massasoit Community College Warriors for CCRI’s final game of the 2019 season. The Knights played well and overcame a 3-1 deficit to tie the game at 3-3. The game would end level after two overtime periods did not produce a victor. The tie finalizes CCRI’s season record to 2-12-2 overall and 1-6-2 in Region XXI play.

The CCRI Knights needed a win on Wednesday to force a head to head playoff game to determine the Region XXI Champion.  The Knights did not want to end the season quietly as they faced a formidable team in the rainy October night.  Head Coach Gabe Toro told his players to go out and leave it all out there today, because there is no tomorrow if they don't get the win. 

CCRI came out aggressive and it ended up paying off as sophomore Delpio Alves (East Providence, RI) was taken out inside the Massasoit penalty box.  Alves converted from the spot and put the Knights up 1-0 just two minutes into the game. 

The Knights played a solid game for the rest of the half, led by sophomore co-captain Jacob Leander (West Warwick, RI) and freshmen Isnaba Namusse (Pawtucket, RI), Rodry Alves (Pawtucket, RI) and Buba Joof (Woonsocket, RI) on the backline.  The midfield also found some flow, despite having trouble being consistent all season.  In the midfield, freshman Lucas Patrone (Johnston, RI), Adelmo Intrieri (Westerly, RI) and sophomore Anthony Serluca (Westerly, RI) were able to keep possession and go up field to create chances.  On the outside wings, freshmen Osiel Moreno (Providence, RI), Juan Garcia (Guatemala City, Guatemala) and Delpio Alves combined to make the attack on the Massasoit back line non-stop. 

It was 1-0 CCRI at the half. In the second half the Knight made one crucial mistake clearing the ball and Massasoit was able to push one by CCRI goalkeeper, freshman Ednilson Tavares (Pawtucket, RI) to tie the game at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. Coach Toro made some subs to give the midfielders some much needed rest because they were running a lot from offense to defense, really putting in a great deal of work today. 

In the 74th minute later Massasoit’s Mario Barbosa took advantage of another poor clearance by the CCRI defense, burying the chance and putting Massasoit up 2-1.  Just two minutes later Leonardo Texieria combined well with a teammate to isolate Buba Joof which resulted in the third goal making it 3-1 Massasoit. 

With about twenty minutes left, Coach Toro made some changes and put in the starting midfield core of Lucas Patrone, Adelmo Intrieri and Anthony Serluca.  They made a huge difference as they gained control of the midfield again.  Osiel Moreno also went back in to play out on the wing to relieve Jose Orozco who played some minutes in the second half.  Sophomores David Restrepo (Providence, RI) and Koren Barrios (Pawtucket, RI) came in to play some quality minutes and made a big difference in keeping the pressure on Massasoit. 

With about 12 minutes left in the game, Osiel Moreno did well to keep a loose ball in play in the corner on the offensive third. Moreno then successfully served the ball into the box where Delpio Alves was able to strike it first time into the net to cut the deficit in half, CCRI 2 Massasoit 3.

The Knights grabbed the ball out of the net to get the game going again as quickly as possible as momentum began to swing in the Knights favor.  Lucas Patrone and Adelmo Intrieri put great pressure on Massasoit and were able to do a great job in the midfield.  Coach Toro also put in sophomore Cornelius Tay (Monrovia, Liberia) to finish the game when he went in to replace freshman Paul Sayles-Perez (Westerly, RI) who put in a great effort to disrupt the Massasoit defenders. 

With 20 seconds left in regulation, Lucas Patrone unleashed a wicked shot that took the Massasoit goalkeeper by surprise. Cornelius Tay followed up the shot and when the goalie gave up the rebound he was there to put it away into the far corner of the net.  The Knights exploded in cheer as the ball hit the back of the net. 

“It was a great team effort today, said Coach Toro and the boys deserved to experience some great joy from rallying back”.  The teams had to play two, 10-minute overtime periods.  During this time, both teams showed grit and fire as they battled back and forth.  The Knights had a ball hit off the cross bar as it almost dropped in for them.  Lucas Patrone unleashed another quality shot that sailed a few inches wide of the goal.  The bench and the CCRI coaching staff thought it was heading in from the sideline.  In the end, the game was a draw. 

Coach Toro reported after the game, “It was fantastic to see us have fun and enjoy the game, they should keep their heads up because they found the fire and desire that has been inside them all year. It was amazing to see the entire team perform well together and end the year on a good note”.  Coach Toro also added “Thanks to the Sophomores for their dedication and hard work and wish them the best as they move on to the next part of their academic journey”.

The CCRI Knights men’s soccer team ends the 2019 season with a record of 2-12-2 overall and 1-6-2 in Region XXI play.

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England's largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 15,000 students in credit courses and thousands more in non-credit and job training classes. Its athletic program boasts 12 varsity programs and an academic support program for all student-athletes.