Nov. 5, 2006

BOX SCORE

CHARLOTTE, NC - Rhode Island topped Saint Louis, 2-0, in the 2006 Atlantic 10 Soccer Championship game Sunday afternoon in Charlotte.

Rhode Island claimed its second straight championship, its third in the last four years and sixth overall title. They have now been successful in six of their seven appearances in the Conference title game. Rhode Island improves to 12-5-4 overall receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Saint Louis falls to 13-4-2 overall.

The Rams struck in the first half as Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year Jeffrey Gonsalves netted his 17th goal of the season in the 39th minute. Rhode Island would pad their lead in the second half as Lukasz Tumicz scored his sixth goal of the season off a lead pass from Danleigh Borman in the 51st minute. Borman, who scored the only goal in the Rams' 1-0 win over Richmond, was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

"We've been talking to Danleigh this week about producing more and he certainly stepped up to the challenge and had a great tournament," said Rhode Island head coach John O'Connor.

"Obviously it was a disappointing loss," said Saint Louis head coach Dan Donigan. "But we can't dwell on the loss, give all the credit to Rhode Island, they deserved the win. We just didn't get the bounces today. I think we have put ourselves in a great position for an at-large bid."

On the game Saint Louis out shot Rhode Island, 13-6, including a five to four edge in shots on goal. The Billikens also had 10 corner kicks compared to just one for the Rams. But Rhode Island was able to make the most of their opportunities and goalie Chris Pennock had five saves to preserve his fifth shutout of the season and second of the tournament.

"Saint Louis is a very very good team, it took an extraordinary effort for us to win," said O'Connor. "We were just able to keep our composure and fight through to the finish and get the win."

Rhode Island will find out on Monday who they will play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, while Saint Louis hopes to receive an at-large bid.

All-Championship Team
G - Eric Sciocchetti, Richmond
F - Jeffrey Gonsalves, Rhode Island
F - Drew Jeffery, Duquesne
MF - Danleigh Borman, Rhode Island
MF - Geoffrey Cameron, Rhode Island
MF - Jordan Evans, Richmond
MF - Alex Matteson, Saint Louis
MF - Eric Sweetin, Saint Louis
D - Calum Angus, Saint Louis
D - Callum Bissett, Rhode Island
D - Adam Howarth, Rhode Island

Most Outstanding Player: Danleigh Borman, Rhode Island