PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island College senior midfielder Brandon Migliore (Coventry, R.I.) scored both goals, including the game-winner in the 97th minute, to lead the Anchormen past No. 13 Eastern Connecticut, 2-1, in overtime on Saturday afternoon in Little East Conference men’s soccer action at the RIC Soccer Field.

The win sets up a showdown with second place Southern Maine next Saturday in Gorham. The Anchormen (10-4-3, 5-0-1), who clinched at least a second-place finish in league play, can capture the program’s first-ever Little East Conference Regular Season Championship and the home field advantage throughout the upcoming league tournament with a win or a tie next week.

Rhode Island College establishes a new program record with a 5-0-1 Little East Conference mark. The victory snapped Eastern Connecticut’s (12-2-3, 3-1-2) 14-game unbeaten streak and hands the Warriors their first conference loss of the campaign.

Eastern Connecticut was the third-ranked team in New England as of the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Div. III poll, while the Anchormen hold down the ninth spot.

Migliore put RIC up, 1-0, in the 19th minute, firing a 45-yard free kick that slipped through the hands of Eastern Connecticut freshman goalkeeper Carl Appel (West Windsor, N.J.) and into the net.

The Anchormen dominated the field of play in the first half, but Eastern Connecticut got on the board with just 44 seconds remaining in the frame. Freshman back Matt Kalmin (Burlington, Conn.) launched a pass from midfield that senior forward Rukevwe Ehwarieme (Norwich, Conn.) flicked to junior forward Maxim Fantl (West Hartford, Conn.). Fantl ran onto the ball and beat RIC freshman goalkeeper Justin O’Connor (North Kingstown, R.I.) to even the contest.

The Warriors took control in the second half, holding a 9-2 advantage in shots, but the game went to overtime.

RIC carried play in the extra session, which helped set up Migliore’s heroics. Appel slid in the box to control an Anchormen dump in, both could not corral the ball. Junior midfielder Ryan Kelley (Hope, R.I.) settled the ball and sent a perfect crossing pass to a streaking Migliore’s for the “Golden Goal.”

Appel made three saves as his personal mark falls to 12-2-3. O’Connor made eight saves to raise his mark to 8-2-3.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will travel to Amherst on Tuesday, Oct. 28 for a 7 p.m. game.
                                                                   -end-