Box Score

BRISTOL, R.I. - Junior Michael Perry (Plansville, Mass.) scored his second goal of the year in the 59th minute to give the Nichols College men's soccer team a 1-1 tie at Roger Williams University Saturday afternoon in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) action.

Senior and reigning CCC Offensive Player of the Week Scott Palmerino (Southbridge, Mass.) picked up the assist on Perry's marker as the Bison moved to 7-1-4 (3-1-1 CCC) on the season. They controlled much of the offensive play, outshooting the Hawks 25-12.

In the 10th minute, RWU's Daniel Caruso (Tewksbury, Mass.) sent a long pass to James Sheldon (Amherst, N.H.), who was able to get ahead of the defense and catch up to the ball. It appeared that he had a chance to get a shot on goal, but the play broken up in the box by Nichols junior Phil Mitto (Windsor, Conn.).

The 15th minute saw the game's first goal scored with the same two Hawks involved in the play. Caruso dropped in a pass to Sheldon, who was able get around the Bison defense and make his way into the box. Sheldon lobbed the ball over Bison junior keeper Jeremy Nash (West Springfield, Mass.) and into the right side of the net.

In the 20th minute, Trevor Hoxsie (Scarborough, Maine) sent a cross pass inside the box to Sheldon, who appeared poised to earn his second goal of the game, but a great diving save by Nash kept the Bison deficit at one.

Nichols had a chance to score with 10 minutes remaining in the opening half. Sophomore Brady Boisvert (Plainfield, N.H.) faked a shot inside the box and sent a pass across his body to freshman Isaac Alvarenga (Milford, Mass.), who hooked his shot wide left.

Nichols had two more close calls in the final two minutes of the half, with senior Fred Willard (Webster, Mass.) having two passes – one each to Alvarenga and Boisvert – whistled off-sides.

Early in the second half, Hoxsie found Sheldon down the left sideline with a pass leading to a one-on-one opportunity with Nash. Sheldon tried to bend his shot inside the right post, but rolled it just outside the goal.

Shortly thereafter, Palmerino threw a long inbounding pass to Perry, who redirected the toss into the far corner to tie the match at one. Palmerino later had a jumping shot sail just high over the net that would have given the Bison the lead.

The Bison defense held the Hawks to just one shot over the final 20 minutes of action, and also had the best scoring chance in either overtime session. Four minutes into the first OT, Palmerino's point-blank scoring chance was turned aside by Pelloso, and the loose ball was cleaned out.

Nash finished the contest with two saves while Pelloso made five. Palmerino recorded a team-high five shots while Willard, Perry and sophomore Donny Whittle (Ellington, Conn.) each took three shots.

Nichols hosts Coast Guard Wednesday at 4 p.m. while the Hawks host UMass Dartmouth at 7 p.m.

Contributions from Roger Williams sports information