Sept. 7, 2008

Box Score

DURHAM, N.H. -- Sarah Helldoerfer's goal in the 106th minute (105:45) proved to be the gamewinner as Rhode Island earned its first victory of the season, 2-1, in double overtime at New Hampshire.

Helldoerfer's goal - her first of the 2008 season - was set up by a header from Agnes Arnadottir, and took a trip off the crossbar before finding its way into the net.

"I was very happy with the effort and the fighting spirit of the team against a good UNH team," said head coach Zac Shaw. "Our ability to play our game and create dangerous chances throughout the game was tremendous."

After a scoreless first 45 minutes, UNH got on the board first in the second half. The Wildcats' LeBlanc Carole put a shot past URI goalkeeper Jackie Fede in the 50th minute (49:12). The Rams had several scoring chances over a 10 minute span, as shots by Erese Fair and Adrienne Ruhe Lischke hit the crossbar.

At the 86:15 mark, Ruhe Lischke tallied the equalizer for the Rams, converting a turnover by a UNH defender into a blast that found the back of the net in the far right corner. The unassisted tally was Ruhe Lischke's first of the year.

"The mental toughness to bounce back after going a goal down was really a great illustration of the competitive fire that this team has," Shaw said. "The fact we kept fighting until the last couple minutes was finally rewarded with our goal within the last five minutes. I was really happy for Adrienne Ruhe Lischke who scored her first goal of the season and had her best day yet in a Rhody uniform."

Both teams had numerous scoring opportunities in the extra periods. Fede made a terrific play in the 105th minute, coming out of goal to challenge a 1-on-1 shot which ended up skipping right.

In the first OT, Rhody had four solid shots on goal, but UNH goalkeeper Ally Yost was able to make the plays. Ruhe Lischke and Erese Fair both had chances from inside the box that Yost stopped. Arnadottir also had two opportunities, a point-blank shot near the right corner of the net and a blast off a pass from Fair.

For the game, the Rams outshot the Wildcats, 25-21. UNH put 12 shots on goal, to URI's 10. Jackie Fede made 11 saves for Rhode Island, while her counterpart Ally Yost made seven stops.

Rhode Island attempted six corner kicks and committed 13 fouls.

"I am happy with the progress of the team, we keep getting better each game and if we play with the intensity and commitment that we did today, we will be a difficult team for anyone in the country to play," Shaw stated.