Following the 3-1 loss to The University of Connecticut on Sept. 8, The University of Rhode Island Rams women’s soccer team faced off against Bryant University on Thursday, resulting in a 1-1 draw before hosting Boston University on Sunday where they won 3-2.
Bryant was able to sneak in the first goal after 20 minutes when fourth-year Jordyn Collins collected the ball and put in a shot from outside of the penalty box. Rhode Island’s offense became very aggressive after the deficit as they put up 19 total shots.
The Rams knew they had to adjust to the Bulldogs playing style, allowing them to strategize on offense, recording seven corner kicks because of their wing play.
Pressure was occurring in the first half as some shots almost fell in, including fifth-year Nicolette Scarduzio who shot the ball just over the crossbar in the 45th minute. Rhode Island was down 1-0 for most of the game until first-year midfielder Kaia Rice scored the equalizer in the 87th minute. Rice was substituted into the game late and received a ball from fourth-year Emma Kirkpatrick who passed it from the corner. She was able to record her first career goal in just 16 seconds on the pitch, when it mattered most.
On Sunday, URI hosted the Boston University Terriers at 1 p.m. recording their third win of the season, 3-2. The Rams got on the scoreboard first when fifth-year Sam Haggerty crossed the ball to second-year Lauren MacDonald who scored in the 12th minute of the game off of a one-timer shot. History started to repeat itself when Haggerty found MacDonald again for a goal just five minutes after the initial one. This gave Haggerty her third assist in the last two games.
The Terriers, however, were not done fighting, as third-year Giuliana Gianino scored off a penalty kick in the 21st minute. The Rams responded with a goal of their own when second-year Courtney Poon got an opportunity. The BU defense redirected a Rhode Island cross from the corner, but it wound up settling on Poon’s foot close to the top of the box for her to score in the top corner of the net. The Rams ended the half with a two goal lead over the Terriers with the score at 3-1.
“The offensive pressure was the main difference between the first and the second [half,” Poon said. “I think in the first we were pressing high and were able to get good opportunities on the net. In the second half I thought we lost a bit of momentum and weren’t pressing as high.”
Boston University increased their offensive intensity as the game went on . Just two minutes into the second half, Terriers third-year Margy Porta scored a header off a chip shot pass from fourth-year Hugrun Helgadottir , cutting the deficit to one goal with 38 minutes to go. With the time remaining, Rhode Island had to play with caution.
“It was important to stay calm and not just boot the ball because we felt under pressure,” Poon said.
The Rams took advantage of their wing play by distributing the ball down the line and crossing from the corners.
“It relieved some of the pressure off our back line, just hitting the balls behind once in a while made them step off a little and then created new spaces to go forward,” Poon said.
Other than the pressure from Rhode Island, the team needed to match the second half intensity that Boston University showed up and ended with, according to Rams Head Coach Megan Jessee.
“We were trying to start on the front foot, they obviously had more energy to start the half than we did… games definitely don’t always go as you planned,” Jessee said.
Jesse mentioned how important playing down the line and crossing from the corners was part of the game plan and how it’s always been a talking point but came just naturally that game.
“We have been talking about attacking a little deeper on the wings and then crossing the ball in the corner,” Jessee said.
The Rams advanced to a 3-3-2 record with the win, a 3-2 victory after 90 minutes.
“Anytime you can grind, keep a goal up, and ultimately win the game it’s huge,” Jessee said.
The Rhode Island women’s soccer team’s next game is against La Salle University at the URI Soccer Complex on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+.