Jamila Coleman
Anchor Contributor
On Sept. 1, RIC’s women soccer team hosted the Curry College Colonels at Alumni Field. Freshman Olivia Williams had a great performance despite the ultimate outcome of the game. Williams went 1-1, scoring her first collegiate goal and RIC’s only goal that night. Freshman Julie Filep, sophomore Marissa Ruzzano and sophomore Riley Specht also had a good game.
The team is still young, being mostly sophomores. This gives RIC plenty of time to increase their chemistry as teammates, and improve in the games to follow. Women’s soccer hopes to have a better season this year following their 3-14 record in 2021.
The game remained scoreless for about a third of its time. This indicates good defense on both sides. It wasn’t until the 29th minute that the first goal was made by Curry College senior Samantha Borges. A couple minutes later, Borges scored her second goal of the game, giving Curry College the 2-0 lead.
Curry College junior Sydney Resendes managed a back-of-the-net shot moments after Borges’ two goals. This increased the Colonels’ lead to a 3-0 advantage over the Anchorwomen. But those three goals weren’t enough to break down the spirits of the RIC. The Anchorwomen continued to play strong defense, holding the Colonels to the 3-0 deficit until Williams scored the aforementioned first goal for RIC.The Anchorwomen would be bested 4-1 by the Colonels despite their efforts for the remainder of the game beyond William’s goal.
The Anchorwomen then traveled to Salve Regina, where they would look to pick up their first win of the new season. It was a tightly contested first 30 minutes, before Salve would capitalize in the 34th minute and find the back of the net. The game would remain 1-0 going into halftime, with RIC trailing in shots 12-7. The Anchorwomen would look to find a way back into the game coming out of halftime, but eight minutes into the second half Salve would find the back of the net for a second time. RIC would battle to get back into the game, but would ultimately fall 2-0. The Anchorwomen would be outshot 23-11, but only were outshot nine to seven for shots on goal. Williams would lead the team with shots of goal with two, and Maya Benedict would lead the team with four saves.
RIC was scheduled to play host to Dean College on Sept. 7, but the game was ultimately canceled.
RIC would end the week visiting Wheaton College on Friday. The Anchorwomen headed into the game searching for the team's first win. The game would be another tightly contested contest where RIC would hold strong, before eventually succumbing to the Lyons 2-0. Wheaton would score first in the 27th minute of the game and add a second in the 57th minute of the game. Wheaton would outshoot the Anchorwomen 25-8 over the course of the game, with the shot on goal advantage also favoring Wheaton. Serena Forte would lead the team in shots on goal with two, while Kelly Graziano would lead the team in saves with seven.
Women’s soccer will next travel to Regis College to take on the Pride on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m.