Salve Regina men's soccer strikes after lightning delay, 5-0

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NEWPORT, R.I. - After a 90-minute delay for inclement weather which included rain, thunder, and lightning, Salve Regina University men's soccer scored three first-half goals and added a pair of goals in the second half from Evan Dudney (North Andover, Mass.) to defeat visiting Suffolk University, 5-0, at Reynolds Field in non-league action.

Salve Regina (2-2-1) peppered shots at junior keeper Ianis Teixeira (Johanessburg, South Africa) from the outset. Graduate student Kyle Knoth (East Islip, N.Y.) fed sophomore Richie Finizio (Fort Lee, N.J.) for the first score of the game in the 23rd minute. Finizio started a corner kick with a short pass to freshman Matthew O'Connell (Mars, Pa.) who dribbled into the box before swinging his left foot for his first collegiate goal.

Another first goal came from freshman John Julian (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) who finished off a one-touch from Finizio (four points) after the sophomore took a throw in from senior back Mark Marino (Smithfield, R.I.).

Building a 3-0 lead at the half, the Seahawks outshot the Rams (0-3) by 11 to two. Seahawk ninth-year head coach Craig O'Rourke II asked his team to focus less on scoring and more on securing a shutout for freshman keeper Michael Payan (Fort Lee, N.J.).

"I don't care if we score another goal, but make sure we keep our defensive shape and do not allow the opponent to score," said O'Rourke.

Suffolk subbed in freshman David Haines (New York, N.Y.) for keeper duties in the second half.

While Dudney did not disregard O'Rourke's orders, he displayed an ability to finish in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Dudney scored his third goal of the season with classmate Nolan Brady (Needham, Mass.) providing the assist in the 56th minute. Less than three minutes later, Julian carried the ball up the right sideline before sending a lead pass up to Dudney. Dudney continued into the corner before crossing over with his attack in the box.

O'Rourke shuttled subs in and out the remainder of the game to provide rest for regulars and experience for several newcomers. Payan finished with two saves; Teixeira had one save in the first half and Haines stopped two in the second half.

Salve Regina opens its Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) schedule on Saturday at Curry College (2 p.m.); Suffolk hosts Mount Ida (4:30 p.m.) at James A. Sartori Stadium.