SMITHFIELD — Rhode Island FC might have lost Saturday’s game at the start of the club’s inaugural season.

Missed chances and defensive lapses, like the ones in first half against North Carolina FC, turned draws into losses and wins into one point. But a few months into the season and Rhode Island has rounded into form. Mark Doyle’s timely substitution landed the striker in front of the net to clean a rebound.

Zachary Herivaux, also in replacement, drilled the advantage bar down for a 2-1 comeback win against North Carolina FC at Beirne Stadium. The win, RIFC’s third in a row, ran their unbeaten streak to seven and gave them a five-point cushion ahead of NC in the Eastern Conference.

Rhode Island (5-4-10) is currently one point ahead of Loudoun United FC for seventh in league play and will travel to Detroit City FC on Aug. 3.

“Early in the year we probably would have tied or lost that game,” RIFC coach Khano Smith said. “We’ve definitely seen some growth and development in the group.

“We just kept the momentum going. But really happy for the team, [we] talked about them maturing and how much this game meant in terms of putting space between us and [North Carolina FC].”

Doyle entered in the 70^th and just four minutes later, Grant Stoneman nailed the crossbar from distance. Doyle, following the possession, headed-in the equalizing tally, which he also did off the bench in the club’s opener in March.

“That’s not luck that he showed up in that position,” Smith said of Doyle. “That’s skill, he’s clever in his movement and that’s his experience. He’s only 24, but has been a professional for eight years.”

Herivaux’s winner was more force than Doyle’s opportunistic timing in the box. Noah Fuson’s through ball split two defenders and found the right foot of the reigning USL Championship player of the week. Herivaux collected and used one touch to push into space before clipping the top bar for the score in the 84^th minute.

The finish was Herivaux’s third goal in two matches after signing with the team via transfer from Tampa Bay Rowdies on July 3^rd. Herivaux’s arrival coincides with a scoring outbreak for Rhode Island over the last seven games. After struggling to score the first two months of the season, RIFC has netted 21 goals over the last seven contests.

“It just takes time [to build a team],” Smith said of the scoring. “I know people get impatient and think you can throw 11 people on the field and think that’s going to gel. It just doesn’t work like that, unfortunately. I wish it did, but it doesn’t so they needed time playing with each other and practicing with each other.”

Doyle and Herivaux’s scores off the bench paint a larger picture. The depth, along with the club’s cohesiveness, has changed lineup opportunities for Smith. He can dig into his bag and pull together a late win at home.

“I think it’s just a collective effort,” Smith said. “It’s a strong bench. I’m just spoiled for choices right now to bring in guys that can change the game.”

After having a minus-4 goal differential in mid-May, RIFC has turned that around (plus-2) and climbed two spots in the conference standings.

“We still don’t have a winning record at home, so we’re not an elite team,” Smith said. “We’re not a good team yet. We’re not getting carried away or getting ahead of ourselves.”

jrousseau@providencejournal.com

On X: @ByJacobRousseau

A Rhode Island man was allegedly driving impaired when he crashed his car into a utility pole in South Kingstown on Friday afternoon.

South Kingstown police say John E. Disano, 53, of Narragansett, was involved in a single-car crash around 4 p.m. in the area of 1097 Middlebridge Road.

Police allege that Disano struck a utility pole, causing it to snap and fall across both lanes of the road, which had to be closed for several hours as crews worked to fix downed wires.

During the investigation, police say Disano exhibited signs of impairment and was unable to pass a series of standardized field sobriety tests.

He was subsequently arrested for suspicious of driving under the influence of liquor and/or drugs. He later refused to submit to a breath and/or chemical test, according to police.

Officers seized a notable quantity of suspected narcotics, which will be tested, police said. Additional charges are possible.

“Driving under the influence of any substance is a serious offense that endangers everyone on the road,” South Kingstown Police Chief Matthew Moynihan said in a statement. “This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of making responsible choices and we are fortunate that the consequences were not more dire.”

Disano was held overnight at the South Kingstown Police Department and will be arraigned at the station. It wasn’t clear if he had obtained an attorney.