Sunday was a complete game effort for the Fordham women’s soccer team, getting three goals on offense and allowing just one shot on defense, as the Rams won the annual Battle of the Bronx over Manhattan College, 3-0, at Jack Coffey Field.

 

With the win, Fordham improved to 3-1-1 on the year, while Manhattan fell to 1-5-0.

 

The Rams wasted no time getting on the board in the second minute of action.  Brooke Salmon crossed a ball from the left side of the box, which deflected off a diving Manhattan goalkeeper Olivia Printy, right to Nicol Natale.  Natale then calmly put the ball into the back of the net for her first tally of the season, and the sixth of her career.

 

Fordham made it 2-0 in the 19^th minute, when Margaret Roughley netted her first career goal.  Off a deflection, Natalie Sims corralled the ball on the right side and played the ball forward to Carlie Wagner for an immediate cross into the box.  The cross found Roughley for a header that scored inside the left post for a two-goal lead.

 

The Rams capped off the victory in the 76^th minute with their third goal of the afternoon.  On a breakout, Roughley flicked a head pass to Turner Block, streaking toward goal, just outside the box.  Block fended off a Manhattan defender and scored inside the right post from 15 yards out for her first career goal.

 

The three-goal effort was more than enough for the Rams’ defense that was very stingy, allowing just one shot in the game.  Fordham goalkeepers Adaeze Obinelo (83 minutes) and Colleen Hickey (seven minutes) kept the sheet clean, along with a superb effort from the senior quartet of defenders, Ally Doyle, Nicole Bates, Brianna Blunck, and Rachel Myers, and junior Rachel Collage.

 

The Fordham women’s soccer team will next be in action on Thursday, September 8^th, when the Rams host Iona College at 7:00 PM on Jack Coffey Field.