Explosive Offense Leads Rams Past Bonnies, 4-3 – University of Rhode Island

Rhode Island (6-1-2, 1-1-0 A-10)
Starters: DiLoreto (GK), Clarke-Tosczak, Namusse, Sanchis, Oystese, Walker, Taylor, Lykkegaard, Mwamba, Etxegarai
Substitutes: Bermingham, Harris, Schwab, Morrill, Yurkovic

St. Bonaventure (3-5-2, 0-1-1 A-10)
Starters: Pucci (GK), Drath, Ehrich, Ferretti, Addo, Brito, Akuazaoku, Tall, Javitt, Dawson, Shillington 
Substitutes: Mercer, Finelli, Helle, Dreasky, Aroza

Scoring Summary
9:07 – URI – Etxegarai (Namusse)
11:12 – SBU – Akuazaoku (Shillington)
13:03 – URI – (OWN GOAL)
50:44 – URI – Etxegarai (Bermingham)
55:18 – SBU – Tall (Shillington)
72:22 – SBU – Akuazaoku (unassisted)
86:25 – URI – Sanchis (Yurkovic)

How it Happened
Rhode Island had its most explosive game of the season, beating St. Bonaventure 4-3 in the Atlantic 10 home opener Saturday night.

The game started with three goals in three minutes. Junior forward Íñigo Etxegarai scored his first of two goals on the night at the nine minute mark. A free kick by Keegan Walker was touched by Isnaba Namussé who had a pass to Etxegarai at the top of the box. The San Sebastian, Spain native blasted a shot past Bonnies keeper Nicolas Pucci for his first goal of the season.

Two minutes later the visitors broke through to knot the score at 1-1. Umechi Akuazaoku had a shot from the top of the box that found the back of the net. The score didn’t stay tied for long as an own goal gave the Rams a 2-1 lead going into the break. 

The scoring continued in the second half, as Etxegarai scored again, this time off a quick touch from Brandon Bermingham at the 50th minute. The Bonnies kept fighting, striking in the 55th minute when Callum Shillington set up a pass to Mo Tall in the corner of the box. The shot by Tall soared past Rhody keeper Nate DiLoreto’s reach for his first goal of the season. 

St. Bonaventure scored its third goal of the night to tie it at 3-3 when Akuazaoku headed in a rebound off an initial shot by Kenzo Brito that hit the top post. 

The game looked to finish in a draw until Joan Sanchis scored a game-winner with less than four minutes remaining in the game. Nate Yurkovic had a cross from the corner and Sanchis tipped it in off his head for his third goal of the year and Rhody held on to win.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island had six different players tally points in the win. 
• Íñigo Etxegarai scored his first two goals of the season. 
• Joan Sanchis netted his team-high third goal on the year. 
• Keeper Nate DiLoreto made five saves in 90:00 between the posts.
• After keeping the shots even in the first half 5-5, the Rams outshot the visiting Bonnies 13-9 in the second.
• Isnaba Namussé and Brandon Bermingham recorded their first assists of the season. 
• Five players played for all 90 minutes of the game. 
• Saturday’s four goals were the most scored in a game by the Rams since beating UMaine Fort Kent 8-1 12 matches ago on Oct. 10, 2023. 

Up Next
The Rams have a home non-conference matchup against in-state Bryant Tuesday. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex.