Sept. 7, 2001

KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island women's soccer team extended their home-winning streak to 12 games with a 3-1 victory over Ohio University on Friday evening.

"We came out much more focused than our first game of the season," said Rhode Island head coach Geoff Bennett. "We certainly played with more heart and intensity. We came out early looking to put the pressure on, try to get on the board quickly. If we did that, they would have to attack more, open up the playing field which gives us a better opportunity to win."

Rhode Island got on the board first when sophomore Lauren Melofchik took a pass from fellow sophomore Sarah Johnston and put the ball into the right corner of the goal for a 1-0 lead at the 36:54 mark. Both Melofchik and Johnston had entered the game as substitutions just three minutes earlier. The goal with the first of Melofchik's career. The Rams extended their lead to 2-0 early in the second half when senior Catherine Zanni took a pass from senior Shannon Kittelson across the box and connected for the goal at 53:30.

Johnston once again provided a spark for Rhode Island when she entered the game in the 73rd minute. The sophomore forward took the ball at midfield and notched an unassisted goal just two minutes later at 75:26 to finish the scoring for the Rams. Ohio scored its lone goal of the evening when senior Jen Barber found sophomore Christel Schiering streaking down the left side of the field. Schiering then blasted the ball past the URI keeper to make the score 3-1 at the 78:30 mark.

Rhode Island junior keeper Jamie Epperlein made one save in goal for the Rams while senior Vanessa Dennis made four stops for the Bobcats.

With the win, Rhode Island improves to 1-1 for the season while Ohio falls to 0-2. The Rams return to action on Sunday, Sept. 9 when they host Fairfield at the URI Soccer Complex at 1:00 p.m.