Rhode Island (8-8, 4-6 A-10)
Starters: Sa. MacDonald, Basuel, Sy. MacDonald, Timpanaro, Hughes, Au, Gill, Sheldon, Myers, Lawson, Dellecave, Phelps (GK)
Substitutes: Liberatore, McHugh, Kirk, Dunn, Albrecht, Cumins

VCU (7-10, 5-5 A-10)
Starters: Lee, Tibbs, Bombardieri, Koeneke, Murray, Jones, Whitmore, Shromsky, Bornyek, George, Stalnaker, Coyle(GK)
Substitutes: Karn, Epperly, Eilbacher, Metz, Kozak, Palmer, Carrillo

How it Happened
A slow start doomed Rhode Island as its season ended with a 15-9 loss to VCU on Senior Day Saturday.

With the winner getting the final spot in the Atlantic 10 Championship, VCU dominated the opening quarter. The visitors scored all four goals in the period. Mia George scored twice in the opening two minutes, and the visitors added goals from Rachel Koeneke and Sam Palmer before the quarter was through.

Sami MacDonald got Rhode Island on the board in the opening minute of the second quarter off an assist from Caitlin Dellecave. However, VCU scored four of the next five goals to extend its lead to six at 8-2. Sydney MacDonald scored URI's third goal, and later added an assist on a Kate Cumins goal late to send Rhody into the break down 9-4.

Play was much more even in the third quarter, as Rhode Island was able to outscore VCU 4-3. With Rhody trailing 11-5, Caralie Basuel scored URI's next three to pull the team within 12-8. She had a man-down goal to start the spurt, then closed the quarter with a free position goal with 39 seconds left in the quarter.

Rhode Island kept the momentum going when Basuel assisted on a goal by Kate Cumins just under the 9:00 mark. That was as close as it got. VCU scored the final three goals of the match.

Inside the Box Score

• VCU dominated the draw controls, posting a 22-6 edge.
• The guests also had a 27-16 edge in shots on goal.
• This was the first time this season Rhode Island was shutout in the first quarter.
• Redshirt freshman Caralie Basuel led Rhode Island with four goals and one assist.
• She finished the season with 48 goals.
• Freshman Kate Cumins added two goals.
• Goalie Casey Phelps made 12 saves for Rhode Island.
• Before the match, three players were honored as part of Rhode Island's Senior Day. Defender Mia Sheldon, midfielder Sami MacDonald and midfielder Emma Hughes were all recognized.
• Senior Emma Hughes made her first career start. Hughes is a team captain who was the first player to join the Rams two years ago when URI announced it would become an NCAA Division I program.