Rhode Island Stingrays Press Release - www.stingraysoccer.com

Thursday, July 16

PROVIDENCE, RI – With less than ten minutes remaining in regulation, the Rhode Island Stingrays scored three unanswered goals but ultimately came up short, as the New Hampshire Phantoms held on to 4-3 victory Wednesday night at Rhode Island College Soccer Field.

T.J. Thompson’s goal in the 38th minute was immediately followed up by Dan Hernandez first goal of the match seconds later. Hernandez added another in the 57th minute, while James Earle chipped in the fourth goal of the match in the 75th minute to give the Phantoms what appeared to be an insurmountable lead.

However, the Stingrays had other idea late when Jonathan Pereira (81st), Matt Marcin (85th) , and Mike Tirbagis (89th) all tallied goals in the waning minutes before time ran out on the comeback.

Despite New Hampshire’s early form, it was the Stingrays who appeared ready to seize the first goal of the match when Ryan Maduro whipped the game’s first shot on goal in the 10th minute.

New Hampshire got its first look at goal when Anthony Gass put a shot on goal that keeper Jonathan Nydell hauled in the shot on the near post in the 24th minute.

After sustained pressure, the Phantoms’ efforts finally translated onto the score sheet when Thompson broke through the area and easily beat Nydell on the dive to give New Hampshire the advantage in the 38th minute.

Less than a minute later, Dan Hernandez pushed another through to give the phantoms a comfortable two-goal cushion in the 39th minute.

Down two goals into the second half, the Stingrays looked for a reply to cut the lead in half.

But instead, the Stingrays conceded another when New Hampshire refired the attack when Thompson floated a ball ahead to Hernandez, who coolly pushed inside the far post in the 57th minute.

Adding to their troubles, Earle poked the twine in the 75th minute when he delivered a 20-yard rocket to give the Phantoms what appeared to be an insurmountable lead with fifteen minutes remaining.

But the match was far from over, despite the circumstances. Down four goals with less than ten minutes left, the Stingrays finally spoiled the sheet when Pereira cracked a shot from distance to give Rhode Island what looked like a tokengoal with less than ten minutes remaining.

Yet, the Stingrays, with a goal in their pocket, were hungry for more.

Four minutes later, they cut the lead in half when Marcin sprinted into the area and fired a quick shot that clanked off the near post, then settled into the net in the 85th minute.

And with only seconds remaining in regulation, Tribagis pulled the Stingrays within a goal

With the seemingly insurmountable lead disappearing before their eyes, the Phantoms plugged the necessary holes in their leaky defense and nervously navigated their way to victory.