ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Having played four matches in 10 days, the Roberts Wesleyan College men's soccer team has already learned plenty of lessons this season.
The Redhawks proved that on Saturday afternoon with a gritty 2-1 non-conference victory over Stonehill College at Roberts Stadium.
Roberts (2-2) scored early, lost the lead about 20 minutes later and then notched the eventual winner on a penalty kick by senior Dylan Ruiz with 4:50 remaining in the first half.
"It was a good day for us," Roberts coach Scott Reber said. "Any win is good, but we still left some things on the table."
Yes, the Redhawks were unable to convert some glorious opportunities late that would have allowed them to breathe easier, but the victory seemed extra satisfying after Roberts surrendered a late goal in a 1-0 loss to Saint Anselm on Wednesday.
"We lost a heartbreaker the other day and we were determined not to let that happen again today," Reber said.
Especially Ruiz, who was stopped on a PK with the score tied late against Saint Anselm.

"It was important to come out and get that W," said Ruiz, who has five goals in four matches this season. "We couldn't take a loss today. We just weren't going to have it."
Ruiz drew a foul in the penalty area and confidently approached the line and drilled a shot into the top right corner of the net.
"For PKs, I am always the same," Ruiz said. "I will take myself any day of the year."
"He hit that with conviction and he made sure that he was going to put points on the board today," Reber added.
So did senior Alex Perez Vega, who gave Roberts a 1-0 lead 7:39 into the game after sliding a pass from Ollie Ardle into the far corner of the net from about 12 yards out. The goal was Perez Vega's 10^th as a Redhawk and first since the 2019 season as he spent some time on defense before returning to a forward position this fall.
"Every time you score, it's like magic," Perez Vaga said.
Stonehill evened the score off a scramble in front of the Roberts goal in the 30^th minute, before Roberts regrouped and took the lead on Ruiz's PK.
Roberts had several good looks in the second half, but was unable to increase its margin. Junior Jared Gibbons made four saves and the defense held its ground.
"Our whole plan is don't concede," DaSilva said. "We'll do whatever it takes."
The Redhawks wrap up a three-game homestand at 4 p.m. Tuesday against Seton Hill before opening East Coast Conference play on Saturday at Molloy.