Godbout leads RIC past Southern Maine, 4-1

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—Junior midfielder Brittney Godbout (Cranston East/Cranston, RI) matched her season-high with five points, on a pair of goals, to lead Rhode Island College to a 4-0 victory over the University of Southern Maine in the Little East Conference women’s soccer opener at the RIC Soccer Field this afternoon. The Anchorwomen raised their overall record to 5-1 and 1-0 in the conference circuit, while the Huskies fall to 1-5 and 0-1.

            Senior midfielder Caitlin Gavin (Portsmouth/Portsmouth, RI) added a season-high three points, on a goal and an assist, as RIC is off to the program’s best start since the 1999 squad went 6-0.

            The Anchorwomen entered the scoring column in the 18th minute, when Godbout ran onto a pass from junior striker Gina Calenda (Mt. Hope/Warren, RI) along the right flank. Godbout raced in alone and slipped the decisive goal into the left corner of the cage. Although RIC was limited to just a single marker in the first half, the Anchorwomen controlled the offensive pressure—recording a 23-6 advantage in shots.

            RIC’s constant barrage of shots finally paid dividends in the second half, as the Anchorwomen sealed the contest with three tallies. The combination of Godbout and Calenda accounted for RIC’s second goal in the 61st minute. It was Godbout’s fourth score of the season, while Calenda collected her third helper. First-year Christina Tavana (Middletown/Middletown, CT) netted her first collegiate goal in the 82nd minute, while Gavin posted her first goal of the season in the 90th minute.

            Between the pipes, sophomore goaltender Krissie Pyznynski (Bristol Eastern/Bristol, CT) stopped four shots to register her second shutout of the season, while Cyndi Michaels (Wethersfield/Wethersfield, CT) also made four saves for the Huskies.

            The Anchorwomen held the advantage in shots (36-17) and corner kicks (4-3).

            RIC returns to action at 4 p.m. on Sept. 18, as the Anchorwomen travel to Roger Williams for a non-conference match. Southern Maine returns to action at 1 p.m. on Sept. 23, when the Huskies host Keene State College.