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Rhode Island Women’s Soccer is off to a scorching hot start in their 2019 campaign, sporting a 3-1-1 record through their first five contests.
With four of their first five games coming on the road, the Rams battled through tough opening tests at New Hampshire, Quinnipiac, Wagner and against ACC opponent Pittsburgh. The University of Rhode Island was victorious against New Hampshire by way of a Natalia O’Leary strike in overtime against the Wildcats. After being shutout by a staunch Quinnipiac defense, Rhody was able to respond with a double overtime 1-1 tie against Pittsburgh.
In Rhody’s home opener on Sept. 8, they sent the Keaney Blue faithful home happy with a 2-0 victory over the Pioneers of Sacred Heart University. Two second half goals lifted Rhode Island, with Brooke Covino striking first blood in the 49th minute. Twenty minutes later, with the game clock reading 69:19, Lily Caso added necessary insurance with a strike of her own.
So far this has been a welcome change for Rhode Island Women’s Soccer, as they are coming off a 2018 campaign that featured no victories. As constructed, Rhode Island’s roster features only three seniors, overall the Rams have only eight upperclassmen on the team.
“With the freshmen coming in we just have more players that can fit the style of play we want to do,” said Head Coach Megan Jessee. “People fit into our system a little better, they’re more athletic. It’s really just been the past two years and the pieces are finally coming together.”
Rhode Island’s anchor so far on the year has been freshman goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Morrissey has not missed a second of game action through URI’s first five contests. She has allowed only two goals in 471 minutes of game action to sport a goals against average of 0.38. She has 19 saves so far on the season as well, good enough for a save percentage of .909.
“She’s just been solid for us,” said Jessee. “She’s athletic. She understands the position. She’s played at a high level back in Australia so that definitely helps the transition. She’s been getting better every game.”
The Rams look forward to their second home game of the season at the URI Soccer Complex as they square off against regional opponent Holy Cross. This will be the first time since 2012 that the Rams and Crusaders will face off, with Holy Cross winning that last contest on the road by a score of 1-0. Overall Rhody holds an 11-6 advantage over the Crusaders in the all time series.