The University of Rhode Island women’s soccer team tied the Richmond Spiders and lost to La Salle Explorers this past week.
On Oct. 4 the Rams traveled to Virginia to take on the University of Richmond Spiders. Rhody’s starting eleven included six underclassmen, with four of them being freshmen. Sophomore Brooke Osmanski opened the scoring in the game, heading in a cross coming from the leg of senior midfielder Michaela Brodeur in the 84th minute. The Spiders didn’t take long to answer as senior defender Ashley Gross scored just two minutes later to force overtime.
In the first overtime, senior defender Alexa Elworthy had a chance to give the Rams the win by way of a penalty kick but was stopped by Richmond freshman goalie Emily Wigg. This was one of five stops for Wigg on the day. Wigg’s counterpart, Rhode Island senior goalie Haley Brennan, made 11 saves on the day.
The Rams continued their road trip by taking on the La Salle Explorers this past Sunday, losing 4-1. Against La Salle, Rhode Island started seven underclassmen, four freshmen and three sophomores. The Explorers struck first, with senior forward Madison Bower scoring in the 31st minute. La Salle made it 2-0 with sophomore midfielder Molly O’Brien scoring five minutes later in the 36th minute. O’Brien scored again for the Explorers in the 42nd minute making it 3-0. La Salle’s fourth and final goal of the game came in the second half in the 56th minute and was scored by junior midfielder Jess Shanahan. The Rams lone goal of the contest came 12 minutes later in the 68th minute and was scored by junior midfielder Jaileen Goncalves. Haley Brennan started the game in goal for the Rams and tallied three saves on six shots in the first half. However, in the second half, Brennan was replaced by sophomore Julia Freeman who finished the game for Rhode Island. Freeman stopped three out of four shots and allowed one goal.
The Rams currently sit at 0-12-1 on the year and with only four games remaining, there is still room to grow for a starting 11 that is heavy on freshman and sophomores.
“The biggest thing with the freshmen is they’re becoming more consistent through the 90 minutes,” said Rhode Island Head Coach Megan Jessee. “That’s what we’re struggling with. We’re very good in stretches. What we’re still looking for is a win. There is definitely an opportunity in the next four games to do that.”
In the Rams last four games they have three consecutive home games, against St. Bonaventure, Saint Joseph’s, and VCU and end the season on the road against George Mason.