Nov. 2, 2006

Box Score

SAINT LOUIS, Mo. - Junior Deb Nelson (Chepachet, R.I.) recorded two goals, including the game-winner, to lead the Rhode Island women's soccer team past Dayton, 3-2, in the Atlantic 10 Tournament Quarterfinals on Thursday night, November 2. Freshman Kassandra Spitler (Montoursville, Pa.) notched her first collegiate goal to cap off the scoring for Rhody, while sophomore Dora Larusdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland) assisted on the first two goals for URI and junior Thorunn Jonsdottir (Reykjavik, Iceland) set up the game-winner.

Dayton jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead when Natalia Walters found the back of the net on a corner kick by Amanda Gallow. Rhody responded with two goals in the next ten minutes to make the score 2-1. Nelson struck first for the Rams, sending pass from Larusdottir past Tasha Dittamore for the 1-1 tie at 13:43. Spitler followed just over three minutes later when she sent a Larusdottir corner kick to the far post from eight yards out.

Dayton's Caitlin Profitt evened things up at two apiece before the half ended, beating freshman Amanda Thomas (State College, Pa.) with a shot from 12 yards out. Mandi Back was credited with an assist on the goal.

Rhody returned from the break and saw Dayton take the first four shots of the half, as well as four-consecutive corner kicks. It wasn't until the 70:12 mark that Nelson scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal when she found the back of the net on a corner kick from Jonsdottir. Leading up to the goal, the Rams had been outshot (8-4) and out-cornered (4-0) in the second half.

In all, Rhode Island outshot Dayton, 17-16, including a 13-12 advantage in shots on goal. In net, Thomas tied her career-high with ten saves. Dittamore recorded ten saves for the Flyers.

The Rams (12-9-0) return to action tomorrow, November 3, when they face second-seeded Saint Louis (12-3-2) in the 8:30 p.m. (ET) semifinal. Prior to that game, top-seeded Charlotte will take on the winner of tonight's #4 La Salle vs. #5 Fordham game. All games will be played at Saint Louis' Robert R. Hermann Stadium in St. Louis, Mo.