Anchormen beat Beavers 0-0 (3-1 on PKs); advance to 2nd round of NCAA's

In their NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament debut, Rhode Island College battled Babson College for a scoreless 110 minutes before clinching victory on penalties Saturday afternoon at Hartwell-Rogers Field.

The first half belonged to the Anchormen, with Brandon Magliore and Ryan Kelley spearheading the RIC attach at length. But Babson keeper Peter Crowley kept the Anchormen honest with solid saves to keep the score even.

Half two set the stage for role reversal, as Babson became the aggressor during the final 45. Midfielder Tim Winn menaced the Anchormen end with a pair of shots that forced Justin O'Connor from his line in midway through the half.

Both teams played sound soccer throughout, with neither club claiming a clear overall advantage over the other through the full ninety.

That tend carried through the pair of overtimes thereafter. After twenty additional minutes failed to separate the sides, penalties were necessary to decide victor.

Kelley slotted the first penalty, but Babson's Dan Hixon sent a screamer that ricocheted off the bar, giving the guests the advantage. But RIC's Brandon Magliore followed suit and banged the bar as well. RIC then buried their next two before Billy Nickerson's shot was denied by O'Connor to give the Anchormen the thrilling victory.