Rhode Island FC Fights Back to Draw 1-1 with Oakland Roots SC

August 17, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release

Rhode Island FC’s Noah Fuson in action
(Rhode Island FC)

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Rhode Island FC fought back from behind to earn a dramatic 1-1 draw with Oakland Roots SC at Beirne Stadium on Saturday, picking up an important point in a physical interconference battle. After outshooting the visitors through 90 minutes and putting on a dominant attacking display in the second half, RIFC leading scorer Albert Dikwa “Chico” eventually found the back of the net with less than four minutes remaining in regulation to reward RIFC for its resilient effort.

Rhode Island FC (7W-5L-12D) started the match strong, and were first to find the target in the 13th minute. Noah Fuson curled a low shot from outside the 18-yard-box around a pair of defenders, forcing the first save of the match out of Oakland goalkeeper Paul Blanchette. In the 28th minute, Stephen Turnbull came tearing down the right wing and into the box with the ball, evading pressure with a smooth cutback before his shot was blocked by a sliding defender. On the ensuing play, Mark Doyle’s shot from the top of the box was deflected inches wide of a diving Blanchette.

Despite RIFC getting the best chances of the match in the opening half-hour, Oakland Roots SC (11W-10L-3D) struck first in the 33rd minute. Working off a Baboucarr Njie corner, Neveal Hackshaw rose above everyone inside the six-yard box, powering home a header past Koke Vegas to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. RIFC nearly responded minutes later, when Turnbull got on the end of Mark Ybarra’s header from close range, but his shot looped just over the crossbar.

The Ocean State club had another chance to equalize moments before the halftime whistle, when Jojea Kwizera laced a shot from inside the box that was deflected over the crossbar. The late chance was as close as the hosts would come to scoring in the first half.

Rhode Island FC came out strong in the second half, immediately breaking out on the attack when Turnbull intercepted a midfield pass that put him one-on-one with Blanchette. The Oakland keeper was quick to sprint off his line and deflected Turnbull’s shot out for a corner, which was ultimately cleared out of danger.

In the 73rd minute, Rhode Island FC won a free kick at the top of the box after Neveal Hakshaw was shown a red card for pulling down JJ Williams, who was one-on-one with Blanchette. The free kick was cleared by Oakland, but RIFC continued to…