Knights Tame Mustangs 4-1 in Season Opener!

09.07.21

Warwick, R.I. – September 8, 2021:  The CCRI Knights men's soccer team traveled to Central Maine Community College in Auburn, ME on Friday September 3rd for their season opener with a 5pm kick-off.  The Knights defeated the Mustangs of Central Maine 4-2. With the victory CCRI begins the 2021 season with a 1-0 record. 

The Mustangs of Maine welcomed the Knights to their beautiful state-of-the-art athletic facility for their home opener.  The Knights were eager to play after over 500 days without a game due to the pandemic.  In the third minute freshman defender Cristian Justiniano (Providence, RI) played a dangerous ball into the 18 yard box and Wilson Penafiel (Providence, RI) capitalized as the ball bounced into his path. Penafiel touched the ball past the Mustang goalkeeper to put the Knights ahead 1-0.  At about the 20th minute the Mustang goalkeeper punted a ball into the Knights’ defensive third, where the back four were not holding a good shape and this cost the Knights as Mustangs co-captain Devin Hanlan from Central Maine touched the ball after the bounce past Knights’ Keeper Ednilson Tavares (Pawtucket, RI) to tie the game. Before the half, freshman forward Joe Dorce entered the game for Thiago Pereira (North Providence, RI) and immediately made an impression. Dorce slotted one past the goalkeeper after receiving a nice pass from defender Matt Gibeau (Warwick, RI), who played a very offensive-minded game despite being the left back for the Knights.  CCRI went into the halftime break with a 2-1 lead over the Mustangs.  

About 13 minutes into the second half Daniel Tinoco (Providence, RI) played a nice through ball into Wilson Penafiel who was able to tally his second goal of the day to give CCRI a 3-1 lead.  Head Coach Gabe Toro commented “Wilson (Penafiel) had a solid game tonight and controlled his side of the field at will.”  Toro added “Daniel(Tinico) brought wisdom and patience to his midfield position today and it paid dividends.”  With about ten minutes left in the game Tinoco was rewarded with a pass from Aaron Ramos (Warwick, RI) which gave the Knights a commanding 4-1 lead.  Tinoco patiently passed it by the goalie to secure the Knights fourth goal.  Earlier in the game Tinoco had a really good look at goal but he had he hit over the top of the frame. Tinico was very happy to finish this opportunity and give the Knights a comfortable lead.  With under a minute left in the game, the Knights made a careless foul in their defensive third which cost the Knights.  Mustangs co-captain Abdibaari Hersi took a nice shot from a set piece, placing it off the post around Knights’ Keeper Ednilson Tavares.  The late tally for the Mustangs made the final score 4-2 CCRI Knights.  

Coach Toro was effusive with his praise his Knights commenting: “The Knights had some standout players today: Ethan McDermott (Cumberland, RI) and Wilson Penafiel were next level today and had solid performances that were applauded by their teammates after the game.  Matt Gibeau also had an amazing game defending and also attacking the Mustangs left side.  I set a team goal today and it was not to score goals. It was to dominate possession of the ball, something that the Knights were not able to do during their previous scrimmages.  The Knights accomplished their goal in a big way, and with that goal accomplished came the byproduct of goals.”  

The next game for the Knights will be Saturday the 11th when they travel to Portland, ME to play the Seawolves of Southern Maine Community College at 1pm 

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The Community College of Rhode Island, New England’s largest comprehensive community college, enrolls nearly 10,000 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.