SMITHFIELD, R.I. -  The Fairleigh Dickinson University men's soccer team was defeated on the road against Bryant Friday afternoon, falling to the Bulldogs by a final score of 2-0.  The loss moves the Knights to 6-3-1 on the season (0-1 NEC).  

Goalkeeper Tiago Capela stopped two of four shots on goal on the afternoon.  Fredinho Mompremier led the Knights with five shots. 

"We knew that, in spite of their record, Bryant was going to be a difficult challenge today, especially at their place," head coach Seth Roland said.  "They are aggressive and defend very well. Having said that, we created 6-8 great chances that we were unlucky not to stick away. That, and the fact that we need to defend much better as a team over the course of 90 minutes, was the difference today."  

The Knights enjoyed a great deal of possession early on, coming close to taking a 1-0 lead on an opportunity from Mompremier that was gobbled up by the BU keeper.  

Jacob Labovitz earned the first high-quality scoring chance of the afternoon, nearly putting the Knights ahead 1-0 on a hard strike inside the box that sailed wide right in the 7'.  The Knights continued to pressure, however no goal would come. 

And for the first time in the 2017 season, it was the Bulldogs who earned the first lead of the game. 

Just moments after Labovitz's chance, the Bulldogs managed to work their way down the field with possession, setting up freshman Jared Lee for a hard strike just outside of the box.  Cappella managed to save the initial shot, however the freshman could not control the rebound and seconds later a waiting Derek Blanchette collected the loose ball before slotting it into the lower right-hand corner of the net to give Bryant their first goal and lead of the season.  

The Knights continued to have opportunities to create offense, however the Bryant backline held from enough to deny them a chance to convert. Spurred on by the momentum from the opening goal, the Bulldogs offense continued to generate chances of their own. 

The pressing paid off once again in the 38', as the Bulldogs were able to take advantage of another loose ball in the box and push their lead to 2-0.  A Daniel Lasarte run down the left wing nearly cut the Bryant lead in half in the dying moments of the opening 45, however the Bulldogs held firm and took the 2-0 advantage into the half.  

The Knights regrouped and emerged at the onset of the second half determined to attack the Bulldogs, playing with even more pace and energy than they could muster in the first. 

Enjoying a more consistent spell of possession compared to the opening half, the Knights kept Bryant contained, rarely letting the Bulldogs enter the final third of the pitch with possession of the ball.  

Despite the pressure, Bryant continued it's masterful performance of defense in the box, constantly swarming to the ball and preventing any of the Knights from getting off a clean look. 

Ahu Obhakhan nearly ended the shutout for Bryant with six minutes remaining, firing a hard, low strike from a sharp angle, however the effort was once again turned aside by the Bulldogs defense.  

Bryant outlasted the final push to hold on for the 2-0 victory and earn its first win of the year.  

"Our focus is to regroup and get ready for the defending NEC champs, St . Francis-Brooklyn, on Sunday," Roland said.