Sept. 12, 2008

Box Score

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Rhode Island dropped a 3-1 decision at Purdue on Friday night, in the first game of the Boilermaker Challenge Cup.

Stephanie Santos tallied her first collegiate goal for the Ram, finding the back of the net in the 45th minute of action (44:33). She took a cross from Adrienne Ruhe Lischke, slid past a Purdue defender, and toed the ball past Purdue goalkeeper Jenny Bradfisch for the score.

"It was a great goal for Stephanie, sliding into position and finding a way to score," said head coach Zac Shaw. "A lot of our young players made great contributions tonight." The Boilermakers got on the scoreboard first, in the 35th minute, on an unassisted goal. That, plus Santos' tally, made it 1-1 at the break.

In the second period, Purdue scored the eventual gamewinner in the 75th minute, before tallying a third score in the 87th minute.

For the game, Rams goalkeeper Jackie Fede made five saves, while her counterpart - Bradfisch - stopped six shots. Purdue outshot URI, 19-13, including an 8-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Boilermakers attempted six corner kicks, to Rhody's two. Rhode Island committed six fouls and was whistled for five offsides penalties.

"I'm proud of our team's effort and fight tonight. That being said, we're all still disappointed with the result," Shaw added. "We had a good opportunity tonight. In order to build the national program we want, we have to play teams like Purdue on their home field, or Texas A&M on the road. It's our goal to be at that level and we're working hard to achieve that."

URI returns to action on Sunday afternoon, facing off against Indiana State at 1 p.m.