Katie Nickles: Defensive anchor

For the last two seasons, University of Rhode Island junior goalkeeper Katie Nickles has been a staple of the women’s soccer team’s backline of defense.

Nickles currently leads the Atlantic 10 with 47 saves in seven games played.

“URI is my school, it is my home,” said Nickles. “I love this place and I’m glad to be here. Being an athlete is a really special experience. You come in and you have a team, have a family, have a set group of friends and everyone’s there to support you along the way.”

As a freshman, Nickles recorded 22 saves in five games, starting in all but one.

“In the spring season I worked a lot on getting better with my feet,” she said. “My distribution is getting better, and this season I spent a lot of time on directing the players so we are more organized before the ball gets to my side.”

Last year Nickles set a new single-season record for goals allowed per game at .78 in her 12 games played. She also compiled a record of 8-2-2 while leading the conference in save percentage with .857.

The team collectively earned the No. 5 seed in the conference tournament, but fell 1-0 in the quarterfinals to George Washington University, where Nickles recorded five saves.

“For myself as an upperclassman now, I’m stepping more into the leadership role,” said Nickles. “Leading by example making sure we get all the equipment, pick up trash after games, work hard after practice, because that’s what is expected.”

In the seven games thus far, Nickles has helped bring Rhode Island to a 3-3-1 record allowing 12 goals, creating a GAA of 1.66.

“As a team we work on each piece of the game,” said Nickles. “I’ve been doing well so far and, as we continue practicing, we improve on each part of the game which will result in keeping the ball out of the net. One thing we seem to be struggling with is scoring goals. We can work on finishing crosses and just getting the ball in the back of the net.”

Katie Nickles and the rest of the women’s soccer team will be welcoming the University of Vermont this upcoming Sunday, Sept. 20, and kickoff will begin at 1 p.m.