Knights Soccer Stops STCC 2-1 in 2OT Thriller!

09.21.21

Warwick, R.I. – September 22, 2021: The CCRI Knights men' s soccer team traveled to Springfield, MA to play the Rams of Springfield Technical Community College on Tuesday.  The Knights defeated the Rams of Springfield Tech 2-1 in a dramatic two overtime thriller.  With the victory CCRI improves to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in Region XXI play.

The Knights were playing in their third match game in nine days.  Knights came out with one goal in mind: to push their season record to 4-0.  Tactically the Knights and Head Coach Gabe Toro made some adjustments for this contest. Cristian Gaviria (Cranston, RI), Aaron Ramos (Warwick, RI) and Joustin Rivera (Providence, RI) were assigned to control the midfield today with Sam McCutcheon (Smithfield, RI) and Sebastian Coso (Pawtucket, RI) on the wings.  Hoping for some good offense and shots on net, freshman forward Joe Dorce (Providence, RI) also started for the Knights as well.  However, Springfield Tech did not get the memo about the Knights 3-game winning streak and put away the first goal in the 35^th minute into the first half giving them a 1-0 advantage.  The Rams would take their 1-0 lead into the halftime break.

Uncharacteristic to the 2021 Knights squad, they scrambled and began to panic a bit as the second half began.  CCRI was having trouble getting into any rhythm as the second half clock ticked away. Knights’ Co-Captain Pablo Puac (Pawtucket, RI) and Thiago Pereira (North Providence, RI) were key substitutes that helped add some more fire power to the offense.  However, in the 85^th minute Pablo Puac was able to provide Thiago Pereira with a through ball which Pereira was able to take a create a shot for himself, the result was a well driven low shot passed the Springfield Tech goalkeeper to bring the match level 1-1.  Pereira had some good opportunities once he jumped into the game and fought hard for his goal. Coach Toro commented “In the end, it was a great goal to tie the game.” The game was tied 1-1 at the end of regulation sending the game to overtime where a golden goal would lead to sudden victory.  Both sets of team captains did another coin flip before the overtime periods and both teams were told that it would be two-10-minute periods with a golden goal/sudden victory (meaning if you score the game ends).  

In overtime, the Knights defense pressured higher and filled in the gaps which were causing trouble during the game.  The offense was also helped by Matt Gibeau (Warwick, RI) and Busime Yosta (Pawtucket, RI) who came off the bench today.  The first half of overtime, the Knights pressed and would get some good looks at goal.  Springfield Tech had some counter attacks as well.  Knights’ Goalkeeper Alex Johnson (West Warwick, RI) made some big saves during the entire game but during the overtime play his confidence was elevated to another level.  Coach Toro used everyone on the roster today to keep pushing and adding offense during the overtime periods.  Three minutes into the second overtime, Knights’ forward Ricardo Foster (Cranston, RI) dribbled his way into the 18-yard box again near the end line and was able to turn the ball back into the six-yard box where there were a few Knights waiting to receive it.  The Knights’ leading scorer Daniel Tinoco (Providence, RI) was in the right spot as he waited for the ball to enter his strike zone.   Tinoco was able to get the shot off and snuck it by the Springfield Tech goalkeeper.  The game-winner and golden goal led to sudden victory for. A well-deserved outcome as the goal gave the Knights the hard fought two overtime victory.  Final tally was 2-1 CCRI in overtime.

CCRI Knights have no time to rest on their laurels as they will travel to Massasoit Community College on Thursday the 23rd for a 4pm Region XXI non-league game.  

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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.