Chelsea Gates Scores OT Winner; Rams Defeat Fairfield for First Win of 2014

Rhody Starters
Leyh, Warjas, Hansen, Bailes, Ari Stanton, Brennan, Lieberman, Alex Stanton, Gylfadottir, Nardella, Lindsey (GK)

Fairfield Starters
Moran, Boegel, Broadbent, O'Brien, Brown, Kowalski, Collins, Daley, Borea, Wieczorek, Early (GK)

Scoring Summary

OT - Gates - 91:35 (1st of season)

How It Happened

1st Half

Rhode Island had the best chance of the half when Fairfield was whistled for a foul just a step outside the box. Jennifer Mencos put low, driven shot on goal, but Fairfield keeper Kathleen Early came up with the save.

2nd Half

Fairfield threatened with five corner kicks in the half, but Rhode Island goalkeeper Reilly Lindsey was able to keep the clean sheet. Freshman Amanda Nardella won multiple headers in the box to help the defensive cause.

Extra Time

Fairfield had a chance to score early in the OT period, as Brenna Brown's shot from 10 yards out clanked off the crossbar.  Rhody capitalized just 1:13 later, as Chelsea Gates scored off a Nicole Brennan feed, beating Stags keeper Kathleen Early left-to-right from just outside the box.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island improved to 1-0-1 on the season, while Fairfield fell to 1-1-0 on the first wekeend of play for both teams.
• Fairfield narrowly outshot URI, 11-10.  The Stags held a 5-4 edge in shots on-goal.
• There were 11 corner kicks in the match, with Rhode Island tallying four to Fairfield's seven.
• Rhode Island was called for the only offsides of the match.
• Samantha Leyh, Brennan, and Gates each had two shots for the Rams, while Fairfield's Brenna Brown led all players with three shots.
• Reilly Lindsey had five saves on the way to her first clean sheet of the season.

Additional Notes

• Gates' goal was the second of her career, and the assist was Brennan's second as well.
• Rhode Island is now 2-0 all-time against the Stags.
• The Rams have won three of their last four home openers, dating back to 2011.

Up Next

The Rams return to action on Sunday, August 31 when they travel to Manhattan for a 10 a.m. start.