Sept. 6, 2002

Final Stats

Amherst, Mass. - The University of Rhode Island women's soccer team posted an impressive 5-0 shutout victory against Massachusetts in an Atlantic 10 contest at Rudd Field on Friday afternoon. The game was the first-ever played at the Minutewomen's new soccer field.

The Rams got on the board first in the 31st minute on a goal by freshman Trisha Hewitt off an assist from junior Sarah Johnston. Rhode Island, which outshot the Minutewomen 18-14 in the first half, took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Rhode Island increased its lead to 2-0 when freshman standout Melanie Kasparek took a pass from sophomore Claire Landon and scored the first of her two goals on the day just 1:36 into the second half. Less than five minutes later, she added her second of the game and third of the season on Johnston's second assist of the contest.

Johnston wasn't done with the offense for the afternoon, however, as she scored her second goal of the season on a pass from freshman Laura Gothberg to increase the Rams lead to 4-0 in the 57th minute. Senior Gina Rosen combined with fellow senior Heather Kasparek to score the final goal of the game in the 76th minute, giving Rhode Island the 5-0 victory.

Senior Jaime Epperlein and freshman Kirsten Marra combined to make 11 saves for the visitors. While Kelly Nigh had 16 stops in goal for the Minutewomen.

Rhode Island, 1-0-1 on the season, will return to action on Tuesday, Sept. 10th when it hosts Columbia at the URI Soccer Complex at 7:30 p.m.

URI (1-0-1, 1-0 A-10)		1  4 -- 5
UMass (0-2, 0-1 Atlantic 10)	0  0 -- 0

Scoring:
URI, Trisha Hewitt (Sarah Johnston) 		30:41
URI, Melanie Kasparek (Claire Landon) 	46:36
URI, Melanie Kasparek (Sarah Johnston) 	51:22
URI, Sarah Johnston (Laura Gothberg)	57:00
URI, Gina Rosen (Heather Kasparek) 	76:57
Shots: URI, 38; UMass, 21
Saves: URI, Jaime Epperlein 10 (76:57), Kirsten Marra 1 (13:03);
UMass, Kelly Nigh (90:00) 16.