PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Johnson & Wales University scored three goals in the first half on its way to a 5-2 victory over Regis College Friday night in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's collegiate soccer match at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletic Complex.

Johnson & Wales (4-0, 2-0 GNAC) controlled the play early in the match and finally converted on a scoring chance in the 22^nd minute as Ricky Africo set up JP Rioux for the first goal of the night. In the 29^th minute, the Wildcats earned a corner kick opportunity, and Nick Gutekunst set up Chuckie Tenbusch for a tally to increase the home team's lead to 2-0.

Kevin Reilly scored for the Wildcats in the 38^th minute to give his team a 3-0 advantage. As time wound down in the first half, the Regis offense pressured the Wildcat defense, and a crossing pass by Alfred Bresnahan (Marblehead, Mass.) was redirected into the net by Johnson & Wales for an own goal with 18 seconds remaining, making the score 3-1 at halftime.

The Pride continued to apply offensive pressure early in the second half, with Jacob Freitas (Dracut, Mass.) taking two shots and Santiago Pedraza Novak (Bogota, Colombia) enjoying a solid chance in the 55^th minute that was turned away by Wildcat goalie Jacob Friedman. About five minutes later, Rioux curved a free kick into the left corner of the net to reestablish a three-goal margin for the home team.

In the 71^st minute, the Pride cut their deficit back down to two as Bresnahan picked up his first career collegiate goal. Gutekunst would close out the scoring six minutes later with an unassisted goal.

Friedman picked up the victory as he collected three saves for the Wildcats. For the Pride, Ivan Ramirez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) started in goal and made one save in the first half before Freddie Beckmann (Franklin, Mass.) took over at the start of the second half, earning one save during his time between the pipes.

Regis College (3-1, 1-1 GNAC) is in the midst of four matches within nine days, but the next three contests will take place at home. The Pride host MIT Monday, Sept. 20, starting at 4 p.m., followed by conference matches against Elms College (Sept. 22) and Colby-Sawyer College (Sept. 25).