Women’s Soccer Breaks Record with 3-1 Win

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.—The Rhode Island College women’s soccer team broke the program’s longest winning streak with a 3-1 victory at Framingham State this evening in non-conference action. Junior striker Gina Calenda (Warren, RI) scored the game-winning goal in the 25th minute, as the Anchorwomen powered past the previous record holders, the 1999 and 2005 squads.

            Under the leadership of Head Coach Denis Chartier, RIC has strung together seven consecutive wins to raise its overall record to 9-1-0, marking the best start in the program’s 11-year history.

            The hallmark of the Anchorwomen’s streak has been the ability to score the first goal of the match and frustrate their opponents with a stifling defensive attack. RIC has outscored its opposition 14-1 in the opening stanza, while the Anchorwomen have only surrendered five markers in seven games (0.71 goals against average).

            RIC opened the scoring in the 16th minute, when junior forward Lindsay Laurie (Warwick, RI) finished a feed from classmate Michaela Bileau (Woonsocket, RI). It was Laurie’s fourth goal of the season, while Bileau dished out her first helper.

           Less than nine minutes later, Calenda registered the decisive marker, her seventh of the season. The Rams (2-3) converted off a free kick in the 30th minute, as the Anchorwomen entered the intermission leading 2-1.

            Senior striker Erika Haaland (North Dartmouth, MA) added an insurance goal off a feed from junior forward Brittney Godbout (Cranston, RI) in the 53rd minute to seal the victory. Haaland, who has scored in her past three contests, tallied her team-leading ninth goal, while Godbout handed out her sixth helper.      

            First-year goalie Kendra DeGiulio (Warwick, RI), who was making her first collegiate start, made four saves to earn first win, while Ashley Baker stopped 10 saves for Framingham State.

            The Anchorwomen held a 17-6 advantage in shots and a slight edge in corner kicks (5-3).

            RIC returns to action at 1 p.m. on Sept. 30, when the Anchorwomen host Mass. Dartmouth in a conference match.