Nov. 12, 2009

KINGSTON, R.I. - St. Bonaventure, the six seed, upset third-seeded Fordham in the first quarterfinal game of the 2009 A-10 Men's Soccer Championship hosted by the University of Rhode Island at the URI Soccer Complex. In the second quarterfinal match-up, fourth-seeded Rhode Island defeated fifth-seeded Charlotte, 4-3, in penalty kicks.

The Bonnies will face top-seeded Dayton at 5:00 pm in the first semifinal game tomorrow night followed by Rhode Island and second-seeded Saint Louis at 7:30 pm at the URI Soccer Complex.

St. Bonaventure 1, Fordham 0
Boxscore
St. Bonaventure Postgame Video
Fordham Postgame Video

Chris Leko's goal in the 61st minute propelled No. 6 seeded St. Bonaventure past No. 3 Fordham, 1-0, into the quarterfinal round of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship.

The three-day tournament is taking place at the URI Soccer Complex on the campus of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.

"We knew we would have to compete for 90 minute and that was the difference," said St. Bonaventure head coach Mel Mahler. "I told the guys before the game that it would be a one-goal game and that is what it was."

Leko's gamewinner came off a set piece midway through the second half. SBU's Joe Miller served a pass from the left side into the box and Leko headed the ball past Rams' goalkeeper Ryan Meara. It was Leko's first goal of the season.

"In the second half, we kept pressing really high and it opened up a lot of gaps," Leko said. "When he sent the ball, I saw the keeper coming out and just flicked it right over him."

The Bonnies outshot Fordham, 11-4, for the match - including a 7-2 edge in shots on-goal. SBU took eight corner kicks, to just for the Rams.

"Fordham is a very good defensive team, they are well-coached, and over the last few years, we have struggled getting shots on goal," Mahler said.

David Flynn played all 90:00 in net for Bonaventure, making two saves. Fordham's Meara saw 90:00 of action, stopping six shots and allowing one goal.

St. Bonaventure advances to Friday's semifinal match, taking on top-seeded Dayton.

Rhode Island 1, Charlotte 1 (URI 4-3 shootout)
Boxscore
Charlotte Postgame Video
Rhode Island Postgame Video

Chris Pennock made 12 saves and stopped two shots during the penalty kick shootout, as #4 seeded Rhode Island advanced past #5 Charlotte to the semifinals of the 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship.

The three-day tournament is taking place at the URI Soccer Complex on the campus of the University of Rhode Island in Kingston.

Tied at 1-1 after 110:00 of play during regular and overtime periods, Rhode Island advanced after Gary Crooks, Michael Tanke, Jonathan Pereira, and Andres Ruiz found the back of the net, winning the PK round, 4-3.

The 49ers tallied the first score of the match in the 11th minute, as Luke Exley took a deflection off a Rhody defender and put it to the far post. It was Exley's sixth goal of the season. Charlotte led 1-0 at the break.

In the second half, URI's Greg Balicki tallied the equalizer - his fourth goal of the season - in the 67th minute, scoring off a Thomas Lindroos cross from the right side.

Charlotte outshot Rhode Island, 4-2, in the extra periods and 22-7 for the match. Shots on-goal favored the 49ers, 14-4.

Charlotte goalkeeper David Martin played all 110:00, making three saves.

Rhode Island will take on #2 Saint Louis tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex in the second match of the day. #6 St. Bonaventure and #1 Dayton play at 5 p.m.