Charlotte, N.C. - Second-seeded Rhode Island claimed the Atlantic 10 Conference championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament with a 2-0 victory over top-seeded Saint Louis on Sunday at Transamerica Field in Charlotte, N.C. It is the Rams' (12-5-4) second straight championship, their third in the last four years and their sixth title overall. Saint Louis, backed by a 13-4-2 ledger against a tough non-conference slate, is still expected to receive an at-large bid when the NCAA Tournament bracket is announced on Monday afternoon.
"It is disappointing not to come away with the postseason championship," Billikens head coach Dan Donigan said. "It was unfortunate that we gave up the first goal, because after that we were chasing the rest of the way. 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. We now have to look forward to an at-large bid and seeing what we can do in the NCAA Tournament."
The Rams' Jeffrey Gonsalves, the league's leading scorer and the A-10 Offensive Player of the Year, struck late in the first half to give the Rams a one-goal advantage heading into the break. He sent a shot on goal from eight yards that slipped past SLU keeper Ross Kaufman for the game's only first-half tally.
The Billikens, though trailing 1-0 at halftime, got the better of the action in the first session, out-shooting the Rams 8-3 and holding a 4-0 advantage in corner kicks.
Rhode Island padded their lead five minutes into the second half when Lukasz Tumicz scored his sixth goal of the season off a lead pass from Danleigh Borman. Borman sent a long serve into the box, which Tumicz got a foot on to chip the ball over Kaufman for the 2-0 lead.
Saint Louis continued it offensive pressure but could not get through URI keeper Chris Pennock, who made five stops for the Rams. His counterpart, SLU's Kaufman, made two saves in the effort. Overall, SLU out-shot the Rams 13-6 and mustered a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks.
In a postgame award presentation, SLU defender Calum Angus and midfielder Eric Sweetin were recognized as All-Tournament Team selections. URI's Borman, who assisted on the Rams' second goal, claimed Most Outstanding Player honors.
The Billikens, ranked No. 8 in the latest NSCAA national poll, will gather for the NCAA Tournament Selection Show on Monday. ESPNews will carry the announcement live between 3-4 p.m. (CT).
