Sept. 23, 2007

Box Score

KINGSTON, R.I. -- Deb Nelson registered her first collegiate hat trick, as Rhode Island downed Sacred Heart, 4-0, in a non-conference matchup at the URI Soccer Complex.

Nelson's trio of scores raised her season total to a team-best five goals.

"I'm happy for Deb, getting her first hat trick as a collegiate player." head coach Zac Shaw said. "We had the mindset to try to set everyone up today and get as many of our players some action on the field."

Dora Larusdottir got the got the Rams on the scoreboard early in the game, beating SHU goalkeeper Meghan Reichelt on a 1-on-1 into the right corner in the sixth minute. It was the junior's fourth tally of the season.

At the 20:19 mark, Nelson found the back of the net for the first time on the afternoon. She played a goal kick from Reichelt into the right side of the box for an unassisted score.

Just over five minutes later, the senior forward scored off a header, begun by a Thorunn Jonsdottir free kick, at the 25:52 mark in the first half. URI led, 3-0, at the break.

In the 72nd minute, Nelson completed the hat trick off a pass into the box from Larusdottir, scoring from 10 yards out.

Redshirt freshman Jackie Fede recorded her second consecutive shutout in goal for the Rams. She played all 90:00, making one save. Sacred Heart's Meghan Reichelt made six stops, while allowing all four Rhody goals.

For the game, URI outshot Sacred Heart, 16-3. Both teams attempted three corner kicks and were whistled offsides four times apiece.

"The focus in the first part of the season has been to keep getting better, keep improving each time out." Shaw explained. "I've been pleased with the progress we've made and now we shift our focus on the second portion of our season - the Atlantic 10 schedule."

With the win, Rhode Island completes its non-conference schedule and improves to 5-2-1 overall on the season. The Rams kick off play in the Atlantic 10 on Friday, Sept. 28 when they travel to Olean, N.Y. to take on St. Bonaventure before returning home to host Temple on Sunday, Sept. 28.