Sept. 17, 2004

KINGSTON, R.I. - The women's soccer team hosted its home opener at the URI Soccer Complex on Friday beating A-10 rival Massachusetts 4-1.

The Rams led early in the first half when freshman Debra Nelson (Chepachet, R.I.) took a pass from Claire Landon (Bedford, N.H.) and scored her first career goal on a breakaway down the middle.

Rhody took a 2-0 lead when Thorunn Helga Jonsdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland)passed to Nelson, who netted her second goal of the night. At the half the Rams led the Minutewomen, 2-0 and also out-shot UMass 10-7.

Rhode Island struck again in the second half, scoring its third goal of the night at 54:14 as Nelson crossed to Megan Kasparek (Trumbull, Conn.), giving the Rams a 3-0 advantage.

With about 20 minutes left in the half, Massachusetts scored its first goal of the night. Jenny Roerhig put the Minutewomen on the board off a rebound to bring the score to 3-1.

The Rams answered back and with just 10 minutes to play, when Jonsdottir blasted the ball in from 15 yards out. Freshman Jessica Gadd (Florence, Ky.) had the assist.

Ria Carroll (Warwick, R.I.) recorded the win for the Rams with eight saves.

The Rams are now 3-4-0 (1-0-0 A-10) while the Minutewomen fall to 0-5-0 (0-1-0 A-10) on the season.

Rhode Island will take on Hartford at the URI Soccer Complex on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.