BRISTOL, R.I.—No. 12 Babson College was knocked from the ranks of the unbeaten after suffering a 1-0 loss to Roger Williams University in non-conference men's soccer action on Wednesday night at Bayside Field.
Babson, which suffered its first setback in 18 games going back to last October, is now 4-1-2 on the year. Roger Williams improved to 5-0-1 on the year and extended its own unbeaten streak to 12 matches dating back to last year.
Senior goalkeeper
Derek Polanco (Verona, N.J.) made a career-high six saves for the Beavers, who were held off the scoreboard for the first time this season.
Brandon Rodriguez (Norwalk, Conn.) scored his first goal of the season and first-year Aidan Jennings (San Diego, Calif.) recorded an assist for the Hawks, who got two saves from junior goalkeeper Eliot Panaccione (Pepperell, Mass.).
Following a scoreless opening half, Roger Williams went in front in the 52nd minute when Rodriguez rose up over a defender and buried a header from inside the six-yard box off a corner kick by Jennings. The hosts nearly doubled their advantage minutes later but Jennings' blast from just outside the box curled wide of the left post.
Polanco went to ground to handle a bouncing header by junior Patrick Marino (Wyckoff, N.J.) off another corner in the 66th minute and then was able to coral a deflected shot by senior Will Schiffer (Cotuit, Mass.) after he was left all alone at the penalty spot in the 77th minute. Babson's best chance to equalize came in the 84th minute when first-year
Connor Hanrahan's (Warrenville, Ill.) header from inside five yards drilled off the crossbar before being punched out of danger by Panaccione.
The Hawks outshot the Beavers 14-5 and also finished with a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
Both teams return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. as Babson hosts Brandeis while Roger Williams travels to Johnson & Wales.
GAME NOTES
• The Beavers are 8-6-1 all-time against Roger Williams and 10 of the last 11 matches between the team have been decided by a single goal.
• Tuesday's loss snapped Babson's eight-game unbeaten streak away from home and its 15-game run without a loss in the month of September.
• The setback against the Hawks also marked the first time the Green and White has lost in 29 contests over the last two seasons when going into halftime with the lead or tied.
• Prior to Wednesday night, the Beavers last 1-0 loss came at then-No. 3 Stevens on September 10, 2023.