Providence, R.I.--Senior midfielder Jonathan Oliveira (Providence, R.I.) scored twice as the Rhode Island College men's soccer team defeated Worcester State University, 2-1, in non-conference action played at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 2, Worcester State 1
Rhode Island College (1-1)
Worcester State (0-1)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• RIC controlled the tempo for the first 20 minutes of action as the Anchormen seemed to be in the offensive zone for long stretches.
 
• WSU began to apply pressure on the offensive end in the 32^nd minute as Lancer sophomore midfielder Manny Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.) fired a corner kick that was headed into the goal by senior defender Ethan Paiva (Dartmouth, Mass.) to break the scoreless tie.
 
• The Anchormen answered in the 42^nd minute as Oliveira received lead passes from sophomore midfielder Anthony Recinos (Providence, R.I.) and freshman midfielder Roy Barrios (Pawtucket, R.I.) to even the score at one apiece.
 
• The two clubs entered the halftime break tied up at one apiece. RIC led in shots (8-3) and corner kicks (5-2) over the first 45 minutes.
 
• RIC junior midfielder Brandon Ramos (Boston, Mass.) won a hard-fought battle in the box, which led to a Worcester State foul and a penalty kick opportunity for the hosts, in the 42^nd minute.
 
• Oliveira launched the PK attempt into the bottom right corner, as Lancer sophomore goalkeeper Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.) dove to his left, for the go-ahead and what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 60^th minute.
 
• The Lancers had their chance late in the game as a costly RIC turnover gave WSU junior midfielder Patrick Mbarushimana (Worcester, Mass.) a one-on-one chance with RIC senior goalkeeper Charlie Tashjian (West Warwick, R.I.) to tie the game, but his shot just missed the short side. WSU also missed a golden opportunity to tie the game off a scramble in the box, but was unable to net the equalizer.
 
• RIC was able to pin the ball at the flag deep in Worcester State territory to bleed the clock down over the final minutes and secure its first win of the year.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• RIC senior goalkeeper Charlie Tashjian (West Warwick, R.I.) made two saves to earn the win (1-1). Ramirez fell one save shy of double digits with a nine-stop effort in the loss (0-1).
 
• RIC held the advantage in shots (18-10) and had five more corner kicks than the Lancers (8-3).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Bridgewater State on Wednesday, Sept. 8 (7 p.m.).