Rhode Island (0-1)
Starters: Basuel, Timpanaro, Shield, Dellecave, Iler, Baldwin, Au, Gill, Jackson, Cumins, Whymes, Phelps (GK)
Substitutes: Licare, Kirk, Dunn, Geottelmann, Carpenter, Whitten,Lockwood

Fairfield (1-0)
Starters: Haggerty, Henry, Caputo, Burns, Berkery, Donnelly, Brimhall, Kiernan, Shammas, Colasacco, Getz, Robinson(GK)
Substitutes: Gardner, Tufano, Straka, Bergen, Loughlin, Furey (GK), Macleod

How it Happened
A Rhody rally fell short as the Rams dropped the season opener, 13-6, at Fairfield on Friday.

Fairfield (1-0) took control early, opening the game on a 5-0 run in the first quarter with goals from four different players. The Stags extended the lead to 6-0 early in the second before Caralie Basuel put the Rams (0-1) on the board.

After allowing five first-quarter goals, Rhode Island held Fairfield to two in the second. Basuel scored twice in the period, including a free-position goal, to complete a first-half hat trick and send the Rams into halftime trailing 7-3.

Fairfield scored the first two goals of the second half to push its lead to 9-3, but Rhode Island responded with three straight to cut the deficit to 9-6. MJ Timpanaro converted a free-position attempt for her first goal of the season, Celie Shield added her first career goal, and Basuel tallied her fourth of the game on another free-position shot.

The Rams' momentum stalled there, as Fairfield closed the game with four unanswered goals in the final quarter to secure the win.

Inside the Box Score

• Caralie Basuel scored the first goal of the season for the Rams in the game. She also scored the first goal of the season a year ago.
• She had a hat trick in the first half, and finished the game with four goals.
• MJ Timpanaro added her first goal of the season. She added three draw controls.
• Celie Shield found the back of the net for her first collegiate score. She also had three draw controls.
• Caitlin Dellecave was credited with an assist on Basuel's third goal of the day. 
• Fairfield outshot the Rams 20-6 on goal. 
• Casey Phelps spent the game in goal for Rhody, making 12 saves.

Up Next
The Rams face New Hampshire next Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. The game is set to be played at Bryant's Bierne Stadium in Smithfield, R.I.