Nov. 17, 2002

Storrs, Conn. - The University of Rhode Island dropped a 2-1 decision against Connecticut in the second round of the NCAA Championship at Morrone Field in Storrs, Conn., on Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore Kristen Graczyk scored the game-winner just 2:11 into the overtime period when she took a pass from Sarah Popper to give Connecticut the 2-1 victory.

"Even though we were out shot, I thought we did a good job defensively," said Rhode Island head coach Geoff Bennett. "Both of their goals were great shots from a very good player."

"We were down 1-0 against the No. 4 team in the country and we didn't give up," Bennett added. "We scored a great goal to tie the game and battled the whole way. I'm very proud of our players and they way they responded today."

UConn controlled the action in the first half and despite being out shot 17-1, Rhode Island managed to head into the locker room tied 0-0. Senior goalkeeper Jamie Epperlein made 10 saves to keep the Rams in the contest.

Connecticut got on the board first when Graczyk put in a pass from junior Salla Ranta at the top of the box to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead with 22:02 left on the clock. Rhode Island responded in the 78th minute when freshman Melanie Kasparek, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year, scored on a breakaway after a pass from fellow rookie Trisha Hewitt. It was only the Rams second shot on goal for the game. The game was tied 1-1 with 12:11 left in the game. Although both teams had several scoring chances down the stretch, the teams headed into overtime after finishing regulation 1-1.

Connecticut held a 30-3 advantage in shots for the game

Epperlein made 13 saves, a career high, in goal for Rhode Island while senior Maria Yatrakis made one stops for the Huskies.

Rhode Island wrapped up the 2002 campaign with a 16-6-1 record. The 16 wins represents the most in school history.

Game Summary
URI (16-6-1)0  1  0  --  1
UC (20-2-1)	0  1  1  --  2

UC	68:01	Kristen Graczyk (Salla Ranta)
URI	77:49	Melanie Kasparek (Trisha Hewitt)
URI	92:11	Graczyk (Sarah Popper)

Shots:	UC - 30; URI - 3
Saves:	UC - Maria Yatrakis, 1; URI - Jamie Epperlein 13