KINGSTON, R.I. – The Penn State men's soccer team fell to the undefeated Rhode Island Rams, 1-0, in a tough road match Friday night, the first road trip of the season for the Nittany Lions.
"I thought we handled the first half extremely well as the pattern of the game went as we wanted up until halftime," said head coach Jeff Cook. "Unfortunately we didn't start the second half well and conceited a goal on a corner kick to give Rhode Island the advantage. To our players' credit, we competed very well to create several goal scoring chances including a penalty kick that was unfortunately unsuccessful. I'm proud of the players for leaving everything on the field in terms of their work ethic and commitment."
The Nittany Lions (1-2-0) came out quick, with sophomore Callum Pritchatt firing a penalty kick at the net after a URI (3-0-0) foul in the fourth minute.
The Rams took their first look at the net in the 18th minute but Josh Levine was there for the save, his first of five in the match.
The remainder of the first half was a back-and-forth game, leaving both teams scoreless to end the half. Levine ended the half with three saves and the Nittany Lions took four shots, including one on goal.
Out of the half, URI earned three quick corner kicks, with the third resulting in a goal in the 53rd minute to put the Rams up, 1-0.
The Nittany Lions would play the next 37 minutes looking for the equalizer. Brennan Ireland took a shot in the 66th minute that was saved by Rams goalkeeper Roger Penske and Jeremy Rafanello had two shots go just high.
Junior captain Aaron Molloy came within inches of finding the equalizer for the Nittany Lions, taking a penalty kick in the 84th minute that drilled off the crossbar.
Up next the Nittany Lions turn around and head back to Happy Valley for a Monday matinee with Oregon State at 1 p.m. at Jeffrey Field. It will be the first meeting between Penn State and the Beavers in program history. Admission is free for all fans during the regular season.