Weekly Roundup: RIFC Fall in USLC Final, UMass Advance in College Cup
Vermont dominate Iona, Providence squeak past Bucknell, HOP kit revealed
Three New England schools advanced in the men’s NCAA College Cup; two late goals sent UConn women’s soccer home; and one huge loss for RIFC killed their Cinderella story in the USLC final.
Rhode Island FC
USL Championship - Final
Rhode Island FC 0-3 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
After a historic inaugural season, the Amber and Blue fell embarrassingly in the USL Championship Final on Saturday in a match that was nationally televised on CBS. The loss snapped a club-record nine-game unbeaten streak, which included three straight road victories to clench the Eastern Conference title.
After missing a few early chances, Switchbacks opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Juan Tejada scored the goal, but it was Yousuke Hanya who created it. Hanya beat his man down the left wing and delivered a sensational ball across the six-yard box. All Tejada needed to do was redirect the ball into an open net, and that’s precisely what he did.
Colorado outplayed Rhode Island in nearly every category, including possession shots, big chances, and corners, so it was only a matter of time until they doubled their lead. The second goal came just before halftime when a fantastic strike from Jario Henriquez found the top left corner. Henriquez did well in controlling a ball with his chest down the left channel; he cut inside and had his initial shot blocked by RIFC defender Karifa Yao. The ball then took a Colorado bounce, falling back to the feet of Henriquez, who made no mistake, firing a shot past goalkeeper Koke Vegas, making it 2-0.
The third goal was a product of Rhode Island chasing the game. The Tide attempted to throw numbers forward on a corner kick, leaving themselves vulnerable on the counter-attack. The ball was played to the top of the box, where the last defender, Clay Holstad, drove a low shot into a crowd of Colorado defenders. A quick clearance by Switchbacks FC left Ronaldo Damus with more than 60 yards of space on the break. The Haitian made no mistake, slotting home an insurance goal and ending Rhode Island’s title hopes.
RIFC was the first expansion squad since 2016 to reach the final.
NCAA Men’s Soccer
College Cup - First Round
Vermont 5-0 Iona
The Catamounts were by far the most dominant New England School in first-round national tournament play this week, destroying Iona at Virtue Field in Burlington. Four players found the scoresheet for Vermont, including two from their leading scorer, Yaniv Bazini. UVM will face a tall task in 18th-ranked Hofstra on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Providence 2-1 Bucknell
Providence also hosted their first-round matchup against Patriot League champions Bucknell. The Friars scored the opening two goals from Aidan Davock and the in-form Israel Dos Santos Neto, but the Bison refused to go away. Zane Domsohn cut the Providence lead in half on the counter-attack, but a scoreless second period meant the Big East squad would be moving on. The Friars will take on 7th-ranked Clemson in South Carolina on Sunday at 6 p.m.
UMass 2-1 Evansville
After receiving an at-large bid to the tournament, UMass did not waste their opportunity to make a splash. The Minutemen got goals from Alec Hughes and Andrew Ortiz en route to a close victory over Missouri Valley Conference champions Evansville at home. Just like the other two New England colleges still alive, it will be a ranked matchup for UMass in the second round, as they travel to face number 12 Penn Sunday night at 5 p.m.
NCAA Women’s Soccer
College Cup - Second Round
UConn 1-2 Stanford
The Huskies gave 14th-ranked Stanford a scare when Anaya Johnson scored inside 11 minutes. UConn battled for the ensuing 79, but the Cardinals would equalize in the 86th minute and find the winner with 11 seconds remaining to end Connecticut's season.
Portland Hearts of Pine
Kit Reveal
The ball is rolling, and rather quickly, for Hearts of Pine, who just last week announced the signing of head coach Bobby Murphy along with three tryout dates. This week, the club revealed its first kit. Maine retail staple LL Bean sponsors the green and blue striped shirt, which features a collar with orange trim.
New England Revolution
International Duty
Peyton Miller played 70 minutes for the United States U-20 national team in an impressive 2-1 victory over France.
Esmir Bajrakteravic saw 27 minutes off the bench for Boznia and Herzegovina against Netherlands in a 1-1 draw. Boznia was relegated from UEFA Nations League A.
Alhassan Yusuf started and played 45 minutes for Nigeria in a 2-1 loss to Rwanda. Nigeria had already qualified for AFCON play before the match.
Revolution II goalkeeper JD Gunn did not play for Panama in a 2-2 draw with Costa Rica. Panama won 3-2 on aggregate to advance in the CONCACAF Nations League.