The University of Rhode Island dropped its season opener at Fairfield University on Friday afternoon, before losing a nail-biter to the University of New Hampshire in overtime in its “home opener” on Tuesday.
Fairfield grinded early in the first quarter, going on a 5-0 run with goals from four different players. The Stags were able to extend the lead to 6-0 in the second quarter with a goal from second-year Tessa Caputo. Shortly after, third-year forward Caralie Basuel put the Rams on the board.
Rhode Island held Fairfield to two goals in the second quarter while Basuel completed her hat trick to put the Rams within four at the half.
Fairfield came out strong to start the third quarter, scoring two goals in two minutes. Rhode Island responded with three straight goals to cut the deficit to 9-6. Within the scoring spree, first-year Celie Shield added her first career goal as a Ram.
Despite the run, Rhody’s spark slowly went out as Fairfield scored four unanswered goals in the fourth quarter to defeat the Rams 13-6.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Rams lost their home-opening match against UNH in overtime at their newfound temporary home, Bryant University.
The Wildcats came out strong, scoring two goals within a minute of play. After some back and forth between the teams, Basuel scored her and the Rams’ first goal of the game. The two teams traded goals to end the quarter with New Hampshire ahead 3-2.
New Hampshire continued its push in the second half with two goals to start the second quarter from second-year Libby Boland and fourth-year Kate O’Rourke. The Rams fought throughout the second quarter to find their momentum.
“To be honest, I think we’ve got to do a little bit of soul searching,” URI Head Coach Jenna Slowey said. “There’s some sparks of really great stuff, and the identity, and the grit of who we want to be and what we’re trying to embody.”
The Rams went on a run, scoring three goals in three minutes to tie the game at five heading into the fourth and final quarter of regulation.
O’Rourke scored the Wildcats’ first goal of the fourth quarter in less than a minute. Rhode Island responded with a goal from fifth-year Kyndall Jackson, scoring her first goal as a Ram.
“[Jackson] is just great energy,.” Slowey said. “She’s just someone you want to be around… She’s got good energy and injects that into both sides of the ball.”
Boland struck twice again to give UNH the lead with eight minutes remaining in regulation. Jackson scored her second goal as a Ram to put the Rams within one.
As the clock wound down to three seconds, Basuel played up to her pre-season recognition, securing the tying goal and her second hat trick.
After Basuel brought the game to overtime, she drew a penalty that put New Hampshire a man up. Third-year Wildcat Makayla Keys capitalized with the game-winning goal to end the battle 9-8.
The Rams return to action to take on Rider University on Saturday at 1 p.m., streaming online at gobroncos.com.
