Two first half goals were all the University of Rhode Island women’s soccer team needed to secure their third win of the season against the Albany Great Danes last Thursday night.
Rhode Island dominated the first half of the game, starting with a penalty kick goal in the 14th minute by Jennifer Mencos. Mencos was on a breakaway when she was fouled in the goalie box and was able to capitalize on the Albany mistake.
Scoring first ended up being huge for Rhode Island, as they needed to play from behind in their previous game against Marquette, which resulted in a 2-1 loss.
“Playing with the lead is always nice,” Rams head coach Megan Jessee said. “Less energy to get back in the game, and it’s always nice.”
Later in the game, a missed chance for the Rams led to a corner kick. The corner kick led to Allyson Reynold’s second goal of the season, padding the Ram’s lead to 2-0 which they would carry into the half.
Reynolds, a sophomore and one of the Ram’s best offensive weapons last year, scored her second goal in just as many games. Jessee was excited that she was able to continue finding the goal, and hopes that Reynolds can carry the momentum into conference play.
Albany came out stronger in the second half, pushing a quick goal past Rams goalie Julia Freeman in the 46th minute. Freshman Sophia Eifler was able to score on a header assisted by Caroline Kopp. Albany had three shots on goal early in the second half, but Freeman was able to keep her Rams in the lead.
“You can see her getting a lot more comfortable,” Jessee said about her goaltender. “There are still stuff to work on but she’s a rookie. She’s getting there, getting better every week and that’s all we can ask for.”
The Rams open up conference play this Thursday on the road against Fordham and hope to carry momentum from this win into their first games of A10 play.