The Rhode Island College Anchorwomen soccer team began their season with a bang, grinding out a thrilling 3-2 win in double overtime over non-conference opponent Johnson and Wales to open up their season on Saturday, Sept. 4.
Head coach Mike Koperda's club started the game off on the right foot, holding the Wildcats scoreless for the opening 30 minutes before RIC junior forward Alexis Smith put a pass from fellow CCRI transfer, junior Ashley Choiniere, into the back of the JWU net at the 32:49 mark.
The Anchorwomen quickly increased their lead to 2-0 just under two minutes later when the dynamic duo of Choiniere and Smith hooked up for another score. Choiniere found the back of the net from five yards out after handling a pass from Smith at the 34:38 mark. RIC took a 2-0 lead into halftime thanks to the fresh new faces at the forward position.
JWU finally got on the board at the 61:49 mark in the second half when junior Amanda Aguiar fired home a shot from 15 yards out to cut the Anchorwomen's lead to a single goal, 2-1. The Wildcats then knotted the game at the 75:05 mark when junior Samantha Reynolds slid a shot into the right corner of the net past RIC senior goalkeeper Maddie Pirri to tie the score at two apiece. Aguiar was credited with the assist on Reynolds goal.
The score held up for the remainder of regulation, but the Wildcats were knocking on the door, peppering the Anchorwomen net with a flurry of shots. JWU held a 20-12 advantage in shots, including an 11-6 margin in the second half, but the score remained tied.
Seven minute into the overtime period, RIC's Smith took the ball near midfield and found herself all alone on a breakaway. Smith buried a shot in the left corner of the net in the 97th minute to give the Anchorwomen a 3-2 victory.
Pirri made 14 saves while picking up the win in net for RIC while senior Jennifer Hurley made saves in the loss for the Wildcats.
RIC picked up their first victory in a season opener since the 2006 season. JWU fell to 0-2 with the loss. The Anchorwomen will be back in action, looking to keep winning against Mitchell in their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 11.
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