Rhode Island (4-3-2, 1-0-0 A-10)
Starters: McCarthy (GK), Gilbert, Name, MacDonald, Rice, Sallent, Hagerty, Poon, Kirkpatrick, Scarduzio, Garniss
Substitutes: Samalonis, Sylvester, Rosenfeld, Penny, Carstensen, Yee

La Salle (5-2-2, 0-0-1 A-10)
Starters: Auguadro (GK), Drumm, Gschrey, Picco, Henson, Garcia, Estrada, Lewis, Walker, Vrcella, Cadigan
Substitutes: Dielmo, Hollenbach, Rase, Gismondi

Scoring Summary
60:14 - URI - MacDonald (Rice)

How it Happened 
Rhode Island opened conference play with a statement win, shutting down a potent La Salle offense with a 1-0 victory Thursday night. While the defense limited the Explorers to just two shots on goal, a Lauren MacDonald goal was the difference as Rhody snapped La Salle's seven-match unbeaten streak.

Rhody dominated the opening 45 minutes, but it could not break through. URI nearly scored in the 14th minute when Tierra Garniss one-timed a cross pass from Sam Hagerty. The shot beat keeper Michela Auguadro but went off the post to her left, leading to a goal kick. Three minutes later Garniss again fired a strong shot on goal after working her way into the box, but Auguadro smothered the drive with a diving save to her right.

In the 35th minute, Lauren MacDonald volleyed a cross from Hagerty and managed the get the shot on target, but it was blocked away by a La Salle defender, preventing a piece of art. Moments later, Cristina Sallent put a long shot just wide of the net as the Rams maintained heavy pressure on the La Salle back line. With a couple minutes left in the half, McKenna Sylvester turned and fired a shot that Auguadro had to knock down to send the sides into the break scoreless.

MacDonald broke the tie in the 61st minute. Taking a through pass from Kaia Rice, MacDonald calmly used an initial touch to settle the pass then fired a shot past Auguadro for the lone goal of the match.

Inside the Box Score

• The win was URI's first in an Atlantic 10 opener since 2021.
• Rhody had lost the last five matches against La Salle
• La Salle entered the night on a seven-match unbeaten streak during which it had scored 18 goals.
• The shutout was the third of the season for URI keeper Abby McCarthy, who made two saves.
• Lauren MacDonald's goal was her team-leading fourth of the season. All four goals have come in URI's last three four matches.
• The assist for Kaia Rice was the first of her career.
• Rhode Island outshot La Salle 10-1 in the first half and 15-5 overall.
• The Explorers did not have a shot on goal in the first half.
• Last season, La Salle finished second in the Atlantic 10.

Up Next 
Rhode Island travels to Duquesne Thursday, Sept. 26. The match begins at 7 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.