The University of Rhode Island’s women’s soccer team took on two Atlantic 10 opponents this week, coming away with their first two victories of their 2023 campaign.
Coming into the week, the Rams had a record of 0-6-5 and had only scored two goals all season. After their two most recent matches, the team ended the week with six goals, a 200% increase in production.
URI began their week with a home matchup against the Davidson College Wildcats, another
team struggling offensively, having been outscored 9-0 in the three games prior to their matchup with the Rams.
After a back-and-forth first few minutes the Rams struck first, as second-year midfielder Cristina Sallent took a long pass from fourth-year defender Jordyn Allen through the middle and slotted it in the bottom left corner. The shot was just out of the reach of Davidson third-year goalkeeper Emily Smith to give Rhody a 1-0 lead just four minutes in.
“They were stepping the back line and I saw the space,” Sallent said.
After the Rams’ goal to break the ice, the game saw no opportunities until the 28th minute, when Davidson had players streaking down the wing and Allie Jacobson cut inside for a shot. The strike curled toward the corner of the net, where Rhode Island fourth-year goal keeper Faith Hutchins just got her fingertips on the ball to keep the Wildcats scoreless.URI head coach Megan Jessee praised Hutchins and the defense after the game, and how solid they have been for the Rams, with four clean sheets entering the week.
“They’ve been great all year,” Jessee said. “Faith’s been great in goal, our back line has been very good. Our defense has not been the problem this year.”
Going into the half, the Rams still held their 1-0 lead but the Wildcats were in the game, with three shots on goal in the half all turned away by Hutchins.
Just six minutes into the second half, the Rams had an opportunity to double their lead. In the 51st minute, Rams first-year midfielder Lauren MacDonald received a pass from Sallent at the edge of the box. With possession, MacDonald fired a shot that Smith was able to corral and keep the Wildcats’ deficit to only one.
The half continued to mirror the first period of play as neither team had any major opportunities, until the Wildcats earned a free kick near the box in the 83rd minute. Davidson fourth-year midfielder Riley Patton took the set piece, where she attempted a shot at goal that just missed the net wide right and went out of play.
As time winded down, the Rams held the ball to secure the 1-0 victory and earn their first victory of 2023.
Jessee talked about the emotions she has felt during the year, and what she is feeling after an improved stretch since conference play started.
“You put a lot of pressure on yourself when things aren’t going right,” Jessee said. “The fact that we got a good win sets us up really nicely, we already have two ties on the road in conference and now a win at home.”
After the victory, the Rams then traveled to Fairfax, Virginia to take on the George Mason University Patriots in another A-10 matchup. The Patriots entered the matchup with a 1-11 record, and were coming off a 3-0 loss to the Saint Louis Billikens.
After another back and forth start to the match, the Rams got a chance to take the lead in the 18th minute. MacDonald took a corner kick that sailed past everyone and found the opposite bottom corner of the net to give the Rams a 1-0 lead. The goal, known as an “Olimpico”, is rare due to the unlikely angle that the player has from the corner of the field. MacDonald’s goal is even more rare due to the fact that it was her first career goal for the Rams, an unforgettable moment for the first-year midfielder.
After the goal, neither team scored for the remainder of the first period of play, with the first half ending 1-0 in favor of the Rams.
MacDonald struck again in the second half, this time finding the ball on a breakaway before netting it behind the keeper to make the score 2-0 in the 54th minute.
With the Patriots needing a goal late, they pushed up the field looking to find a quick opportunity to cut the deficit. Instead, the Rams took the chance to add on another as Sallent found third-year midfielder Emma Kirkpatrick in the box, who took a shot that was too high for the GMU goalie and pushed the Rams advantage to 3-0 with under 7 minutes to play.
George Mason could not make the comeback with little time remaining, as the Rams cruised to their second straight victory and slungshot themselves into a playoff position within the A-10.
The game was the third straight shutout for the Rams, and the sixth of the year. The Rams return home to the URI soccer complex on Sunday at 1 p.m. to take on Fordham University in a Rams vs Rams matchup on Senior Day, which is also available to be streamed on ESPN+.