Sept. 10, 2000

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. - Junior Catherine Zanni's goal in the 87th minute broke a 1-1 tie and lifted Rhode Island to a thrilling 2-1 win over Air Force on Sunday afternoon.

The win improves the Rams overall record to 5-0 this season. Air Force falls to 1-4-1.

For nearly 80 minutes Air Force and URI played an even game with each team having chances to score. Then in the final 11 minutes, the teams combined for three goals.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in the first half with URI having six shots and Air Force taking five. The Falcons nearly scored in the first minute as Beth Boyer's cross bounced over the head over Ram keeper Kate Hirsch and hit off the inside of the far post.

URI got on the board first as junior Shannon Kittelson scored in the 79th minute for a 1-0 lead. Kittelson took a pass just across midfield and dribbled uncontested all the way in. Her shot just inside the box beat Falcon keeper Kristy Kuhlman to the right post. Six minutes later, Air Force tied the game as Mary Cholko scored on a free kick. Cholko's shot from more than 35 yards out bounced over Hirsch's head to tie the score in the 85th minute. Just two minutes later, the Rams had another three-on-two rush as Kittelson dribbled the ball in the middle of the field and passed to Catherine Zanni on the right wing. After a couple touches, Zanni fired a line drive that beat Kuhlman high to the near post for the game-winner.

The Rams open their Atlantic 10 schedule against UMass on Sunday, Sept. 17 at 1 p.m. at the URI Soccer Complex.

Game Summary:

Rhode Island       0     2   -   2
Air Force          0     1   -   1

URI-Shannon Kittelson (Unassisted), 79:16
AFA-Cholko, Mary (Unassisted), 85:59
URI-Catherine Zanni (Kittelson), 87:39

Saves: URI, Kate Hirsch (5), AFA, Kristy Kuhlman (6)