Box Score Rhode Island (2-3-1)
Starters: McCarthy (GK), Gilbert, MacDonald, Cajilig, Rice, Sylvester, Hagerty, Yee, Poon, Kirkpatrick, Garniss
Substitutes: Name, Scarduzio, Rosendfeld, Highton, Hines, Samalonis

UConn (4-1-1)
Starters: Mahoney (GK), Carson, Cappadona, Mathis, Okafor, Fried, Monaco, Lewis, Jones, Ryder, Dantes
Substitutes: McCarthy, Merchant, Ala. Taylor, Ale. Taylor, Jenkins, Landers, Ocio, Burns, LeBlanc, Meadows, Walonis, Gorman, Rosewall
Scoring Summary
2:43 - URI - MacDonald (Garniss)


How it Happened
Rhode Island put a scare into Connecticut, but the Rams eventually fell 3-1 Sunday afternoon.

Rhode Island stunned the Huskies early, as Lauren MacDonald scored just 2:43 into the match. Tierra Garniss sent a cross from the left of the keeper into the box to MacDonald, who was left unattended. MacDonald settled the pass with a touch and had plenty of time to calmly send a shot past goalie Mahoney for the early lead.

UConn's Chioma Okafor took a long pass in the 12th minute and had a one-on-one break to the right of URI keeper Abby McCarthy. McCarthy smartly left her mark and raced out of the box for a sliding challenge. The play blocked Okafor and slowed her down enough to get a potential rebound shot knocked away by the defense. While the play did not result in an official save, it prevented an excellent scoring chance.

Okafor again nearly struck in the 21 st minute when she headed a ball to herself into the top of the box. Pressured by a pair of Ram defenders, Okafor got a point-black, left-footed shot on target, but McCarthy was in position to handle the save. Moments later, Okafor got possession in the box again, but defender Allison Gilbert poked the ball away, preventing another chance.

UConn struck quickly in the second half. Abbey Jones sent a pass to Lina Dantes, who buried the shot to tie the match in the 48th minute. Okafor later added a pair of penalty kicks to provide the winning margin. She converted in the 72nd and 76th minutes, securing the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Lauren MacDonald's goal was the first of the season and third in the career of the sophomore forward.
• UConn had a 19-5 edge in total shots and a 10-2 edge in shots on goal.
• Rhody keeper Abby McCarthy made seven saves.
• McKenna Sylvester led URI with three shots. 
• Rhody was not awarded a corner kick in the match. UConn had six.

Up Next
The Rams are back on the road Thursday, Sept. 12 when they play at in-state rival Bryant. The match begins at 7 p.m. and will stream on ESPN+.