Stonehill’s men’s soccer squad opened its 2026 campaign with a 3‑2 victory over the University of Rhode Island on August 20, 2026. The Skyhawks struck first just 26 seconds in, when Chris Hines slipped a low ball past the URI keeper to put the hosts ahead.
URI answered quickly, leveling the score twelve minutes into the first half and forcing Stonehill to regroup. The turning point arrived early in the second half when freshman Maciej Rusiecki, set up by fellow newcomer Mayden Xhokaxhiu, buried his inaugural collegiate goal to restore the lead.
A Late Surge Secures the Win
The match remained finely balanced until the 68th minute, when senior midfielder Killian Doherty, making his first college assist, threaded a pass to Andrew Bilbie. Bilbie’s cross found Doherty, whose strike curled into the net to clinch the win and spark a roar from the home crowd.
The triumph marked Stonehill’s first win in five meetings with URI and underscored the team’s depth and composure under pressure. Head coach praised the collective effort, noting that the early goal and the late surge reflected a promising start to the season. The Skyhawks will look to carry the momentum into their next test against Northeastern on Sunday, August 23 at 1 p.m.