Leyh Scores First of Season in Draw with Providence

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

Providence Starters
Martino, Ugolik, Shea, Morrier, MIlls, Andrew, Zimmerman, Maguire, Klaum, Wear, Shea (GK)

Scoring Summary
24:44 - Samantha Leyh - (1st of season)

65:37 - Catherine Zimmerman (PK) - (1st of season)

How It Happened

1st Half

After 20+ minutes of midfield play, Samantha Leyh broke the scoreless draw for the Rams. Leyh took a free kick from around 25 yards out and curled a ball into the upper 90. The goal was the first of the year for Leyh and the first of the year for the Rams. Both teams failed to convert on a few chances later in the half and Rhode Island took a 1-0 lead into halftime. 

2nd Half             

Providence came out firing in the second half and nearly converted on multiple chances early on. An attack in the 66th minute resulted in a Friar penalty kick, which Catherine Zimmerman converted to tie the game a 1-1. Leyh and Zimmerman each had a chance for a second tally, but both missed the target by small margins.

Extra Time

The two sides struggled to find any openings in extra time and the game ended in a 1-1 draw. 

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island and Providence are both 0-0-1 to start their respective seasons.
• Shot totals ended up even with both teams putting up 12 attempts, but Rhode Island outshot the Friars 5-1 in the two overtime periods.
• Providence had a 4-3 edge in corners.
• Both teams were called for one offsides infraction each in the 2nd half.
• Leyh, Sarah Warjas, and Chelsea Gates all had two shots for the Rams. Catherine Zimmerman led all players with four shots.
• Katie NIckles totaled five saves in the game.
• Zimmerman and Rhody's Nicole Brennan were each booked for a yellow card each.

Additional Notes

• Leyh's goal was the first of her senior season and the 11th of her career. With 25 career points, she moves into a tie for 27th all-time on the URI career points list.
• Rhode Island started four freshmen and two sophomores, with four more underclassmen seeing action.  
• Rhode Island is now 8-16-2 all-time versus their in-state rivals. 
• The Rams' last season-opening draw was in 2012 at Vermont, also a 1-1 score.

Up Next
The Rams return to the URI Soccer Complex on Sunday afternoon for the 2014 home opener against Fairfield at 1 p.m.