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University of Massachusets Athletics
University of Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Adams & Smith Lift W. Soccer Past URI, 3-2
October 17, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 17, 2009
AMHERST, Mass. - In a thrilling ending to what was an action-packed second half, junior Therese Smith's goal in the 87th minute lifted the UMass women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Rhode Island at Rudd Field on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the Minutewomen to 4-8-2 overall, 3-4-0 in Atlantic 10 matches, while the Rams drop to 4-10-1 (2-5-0 A-10).
After Rhode Island controlled much of the play over the first 20 minutes of the contest, senior Cristina Adams put UMass on the board, scoring on the squad's second shot of the day. Junior Ashley Hamel made a run up the left flank and crossed the ball into Adams in the box. Adams redirected a shot up and over Brooke Messier for her first tally of the season, giving the Minutewomen a 1-0 lead.
The Rams later tied the score at 1-1 in the 53rd minute. Kaylen Shimoda served a corner kick in to Maggie Macdonald, who sent a strike off the crossbar. Freshman Emily Cota brought the ball down off the shot, but amidst a scramble in front, the ball was jarred loose from the UMass goalkeeper's grasp and went into the net.
Cota proceeded to come up with several big stops before Adams put UMass back on top with her second of the match at 79:57. Sophomore Lauren Yelinek sent a pass forward to Adams that the senior chipped over Messier and into the goal.
Then at 85:22, Rhode Island pulled even with the Minutewomen once more. Kristie Moltz fed Shimoda in the box and Shimoda poked in a shot inside the far post, leveling the score at 2-2.
Less than a minute later, Smith countered for UMass, eluding several defenders before bending her strike into the top right corner of the Rams' net.
Rhode Island kept the pressure on in the final three minutes with several near misses, but the Minutewomen held strong, blocking a shot and receiving another clutch save from Cota.
The Rams finished with a 20-8 shot advantage and led in corner kicks, 4-2. Cota totaled eight saves for UMass, while Messier had two for URI. Fouls were 12-9 against Rhode Island.
The Minutewomen will be back in action on Friday, Oct. 23 when the squad will play at Xavier in a 7 p.m. contest.
