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Rams closeout Brown Soccer Classic with 1-0 Upset of #22 Brown
09/09/2012
Providence, R.I. - The men's soccer team was 1-2 heading into the Brown Soccer Classic, but with a win over Siena and an upset victory over #22 Brown on Sunday, Fordham improved to 3-2 on the season. The Rams surprised many critics in sweeping the tournament and having defeated another ranked opponent, Fordham is now 3-1 in their last four contests with ranked opponents, having beaten Xavier and Charlotte in 2011 before defeating the Bears on Sunday. The physical game got off to a fast start for Fordham as Ollie Kelly had the Rams first scoring chance in the fourth minute. His shot on goal was saved by the Bears' keeper to keep the game scoreless. Just seven minutes later, Fordham recorded the game's only marker, courtesy of a Kalle Sotka header. Kyle Bitterman played the ball ahead to Jack Bouchard who lifted a high cross into the middle of the penalty box where Sotka out jumped the defense and put the ball past the goalie to give Fordham a 1-0 lead. It was Sotka's first goal with Fordham and Bitterman's first collegiate point. The game remained at 1-0 late into the first half until Brown tried to equalize in the 36th minute. Thomas McNamara blasted a shot on goal, and Fordham keeper Sean Brailey made the first of his six saves in the game and the Rams took a 1-0 lead into halftime. The second half saw the physical play pick up as the Rams were booked for five yellow cards and Brown's Ben Maurey was shown the red card in the 59th minute, giving Fordham a man advantage for the rest of the game. Despite being down a man, the Bears managed four scoring chances, the final one coming in the 90th minute when McNamara forced Brailey to make one final save to earn the clean sheet and the win for the Rams.
Brailey made six saves and helped the team improve to 3-2 on the season. Besides Kelly and Sotka, Nathaniel Bekoe and Bitterman each had shots for Fordham. The Rams have now won two in a row and will look for their third straight victory on Friday, September 14, when they travel to Long Island to face Stony Brook. The game with the Seawolves is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM. |
