SMITHFIELD — It was the match Rhode Island FC imagined.

A packed Beirne Stadium, against the new rival, with clinical goals and chances in the run of play. Rhode Island curated its best home atmosphere of the season on a cool Saturday night against Hartford Athletic.

And it was the Ocean State club that rode set piece goals from Grant Stoneman and Frank Nodarse and a late icer from Joe Brito for a 3-0 win vs. neighboring Hartford.

Saturday’s sellout, 5,252 in attendance, was just the second of the season — Rhode Island also sold out the inaugural match in March. It had the feel that derby matches bring, albeit just two games into the newly minted rivalry. Albert Dikwa’s missed opening tally just five minutes into the match previewed Rhode Island’s tempo — a pace Hartford couldn’t match.

More: RIFC cofounder and Ocean State native Michael Parkhurst on the club’s turnaround season

“Really good night, special night,” Khano Smith said. “We talked about it as a team, making it a night to remember. And putting a bigger gap between us and [Hartford], so we felt like we achieved it. But so many people put in so much work into this day.”

Said Koke Vegas on the match: “This is special. I cannot say to you why it is different. I can only say that it’s special. The feel is different.”  

It was Jojea Kwizera’s left-footed service from beyond the box that Stoneman headed low into the far corner for the game’s first score in the 29^th minute. Five minutes into the second half and Noah Fuson sent in a volley from the end line. But it was Nodarse’s brilliance that doubled the advantage.

Nodarse timed his run from the center of the box perfectly as Fuson delivered the service. Nodarse, running in on the possession, rose for the header that was redirected to the far post. It was more clinical than the opening set piece score and came after Hartford had seized momentum near the end of the first half.

Hartford had misses in the 36^th minute and in stoppage of the first half after Joseph Farrell’s header off a corner didn’t sneak inside the far post for an equalizer.  

“We started the game in control, and then naturally a goal was scored,” Smith said. “They kind of grabbed control of the game and took a little bit of momentum from us. And ended the half with more of the ball. But I think overall, I think we were in control of the game.”

Rhode Island eased to the clean sheet in the second half behind Vegas. Despite the eight-game unbeaten run, Rhode Island only posted one shutout over that time. The offense carried the club through July after starting the year sluggish.

“That’s probably what makes me the most proud,” Smith said of the clean sheet. “I always feel like we’re going to score, but we noticed that, and we talked about it as a group, the last time we had a shutout was against El Paso. Again, if we want to be a really good team, you can’t go seven or eight games without stopping the opposition.”

Rhode Island (7-5-11) is now seventh in the Eastern Conference standings and a point behind Detroit City FC.

“I think everybody today deserved everything that we watched out there — we are very happy,” Vegas said.

The club announced on Friday that it acquired defender Morris Duggan on loan from Minnesota United FC. Duggan, who entered Saturday’s match in the 82^nd minute, is just the second loan acquisition for RIFC this season.

The 6-foot-4, German native was drafted in the third round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota. He made two MLS regular season appearances this season.

“He will add quality in and out of possession to our defensive unit,” Smith said. [Duggan] is a player we are excited to add to our roster.”

jrousseau@providencejournal.com

On X: @ByJacobRousseau