BOSTON – Saints sophomore Cam Naples continued his hot start to the season, scoring both Emmanuel goals on Sunday afternoon, helping men's soccer to their first win of 2024, a 2-1 result over Rhode Island College in non-conference action at Clemente Field.

The victory moves the Saints to 1-1-0 this season, after falling in their first game of the season to Suffolk. Rhode Island College opened its season on Sunday and drop to 0-1-0 in the loss.

Naples started the scoring in the 22^nd minute, giving the Saints a 1-0 lead. A ball played in behind the Anchormen defense, down the right wing, was crossed in by first-year Rafael Matamoros. From six yards away, Naples fired an uncontested header into the back of the net for his second of the season.

The Emmanuel lead was short-lived with RIC getting level just six minutes later in the 28^th minute. Anchormen junior Sekou Kamara held a ball in on the end line and provided a perfect cutback pass to sophomore Elijah Santos, who made no mistake from 10 yards out, finding a wide-open goal, tying things at 1-1.

Late in the half, Saints junior goalie Maddox Pierce made a pair of clutch saves from in close with Rhode Island College junior Tariq Adio nearly forcing home a goal near the right post, but his pair of efforts were denied by Pierce, keeping the game tied at halftime.

Naples provided the game-winner in the 76^th minute, scoring on a broken play to give Emmanuel the lead. The Saints had a free kick from 25 yards out, with back-to-back shots getting blocked by the Anchormen wall.

As RIC attempted to clear, the ball found the feet of first-year Benjamin Anderson, who cut into the middle on his left foot from 15 yards away. His first touch found the path of Naples as he fired off a quick right-footed shot, perfectly placed into the bottom left corner, giving Emmanuel the 2-1 lead.

The final chance for RIC came in the 80^th minute with Karama cutting into the box on his right foot and firing a shot that just rose over the crossbar, keeping the match at 2-1.

The Saints managed the game in the final 10 minutes, securing the 2-1 victory for their first win of the new campaign.

Pierce played the first half in the Saints goal, making three saves in a no-decision. Sophomore Aristidis Stefanis earned his first career collegiate win, playing the second half and making one stop in goal. RIC senior goalie Wesley Perrotto made two stops in the loss.

The Saints return to play on Friday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m. as they face George Fox University, a program from Newberg, Ore., who is in town for a trip through the Boston area. Rhode Island College hosts Roger Williams on Wednesday, Sept. 4, in the Anchormen home opener at 4:00 p.m.