Salent, Cavino score in Rams’ first conference win
Ten seniors were honored before the Rams defeated Saint Bonaventure 2-1 to earn their first conference win. PHOTO CREDIT: gorhody.com
The University of Rhode Island women’s soccer team returned to Kingston this past weekend to face St. Bonaventure for senior night.
The last time the two met, the match ended in a double overtime heartbreak. Sunday would prove to be Rhode Island’s chance to send this year’s class off on the right note against the very team that blanked them last year
And they did just that. The Rams snapped their eight-game winless streak, besting the Bonnies 2-1 as they picked up their first Atlantic 10 win of the season.
“We were able to finish today,” head coach Megan Jessee said. “We were connected across all levels of the field. We’ve been working hard on creating opportunities and finishing through, and that’s the biggest difference today.”
The Rams jumped on the opportunity first when senior defender Emma Derry sent a long pass down the middle of the field. Sophomore midfielder Cristina Sallent and St. Bonaventure keeper Chiara Gottinger raced to the ball from opposite directions but Sallent won the battle and slipped a shot past Gottinger to pick up the first goal of the game in the 19th minute.
Sallent picked up her first goal of the season with a team-high five shots, four of which were on goal. The Madrid, Spain native now has a goal to go along with an assist and plenty of playmaking for the Rams this season.
The Bonnies recorded the equalizer in the 29th minute off of a corner kick from Kenzie Tarmino. Ami Komori received the kick as she registered a shot off of Rhody junior keeper Carly Travers before Bridget Kennedy then slipped the rebound in for her second goal of the season.
Senior forward Brooke Cavino got Rhody back in front at 2-1 in the 59th minute. While just outside the box, Cavino sent a left-footed shot under a diving Gottinger as the ball trickled in the lower right corner. The goal proved to be the game-winner, as URI held the Bonnies at bay for the remainder of the game.
Cavino now ties Tierra Garniss for a season high of four goals. She currently leads the team in points and game-winning goals, with nine and two respectfully as of Sunday.
“I was just so happy that I could do what I could for my team in one of the biggest games all season.” Cavino said. “I knew that we’re a team that comes out and will score, I just didn’t know that it would be me to do so. It was really fulfilling.”
Cavino is one of 10 graduating seniors on the Rhode Island roster. Despite the large class, Jessee noted it has been the seniors’ work ethic and mindset that will truly leave the biggest impact.
“They were my first full recruiting class, and so with them coming in, they were the ones that truly shaped the culture,” Jessee said. “They constantly raise the standards and push everyone to be at their best.”
With the win, the Rams are now tied for ninth in Atlantic 10 standings with six points and only two conference matchups remaining.
Rhode Island looks to keep their playoff hope alive as they travel to No. 1 ranked St. Louis Thursday night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.