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University of Massachusets Athletics
Sunday, September 23
Kingston, R.I.
1 PM
University of Massachusetts
7-2-0, 2-0-0
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Rhode Island
0-10-0, 0-2-0
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Massachusetts
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Rhode Island
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Marra Nets Game-Winner As Women's Soccer Downs Rhode Island, 1-0
September 23, 2018 | Women's Soccer
Sophomore nets fourth career game-winning goal; Minutewomen win sixth straight match.
KINGSTON, R.I. - A Kelly Marra goal in the 73rd minute proved the difference maker as the UMass women's soccer team won its sixth consecutive match with a 1-0 victory at Rhode Island on Sunday afternoon. The Minutewomen improve to 7-2-0 overall and are 2-0 in the Atlantic 10 after the opening weekend of league play.
For Marra, the game-winner marked the fourth of her career and her seventh career goal overall. She put UMass on the board after collecting a corner kick service by Signe Schioldan and putting the shot on target.
"We came out firing on all cylinders, connecting, showing creativity, and creating chances," said head coach Jason Dowiak. "We had them pinned in their own half for long stretches in the first half but couldn't seem to tuck one away to break the ice."
UMass held a 13-to-2 shot advantage in the first half and a 7-to-2 edge in corner kicks, but Rhode Island keeper Haley Brennan made five of her nine saves in the opening stanza.
The Minutewomen had six shots in the final 10 minutes of the first half, but Brennan made three saves with two other shots going wide of target and a header by Sini Laaksonen going high.
The match went into intermission scoreless with UMass continuing to pressure in the second frame.
"Halfway through the second half, after again creating plenty of chances, we finally found the back of the net off a perfectly served corner kick by Signe that Kelly searched out and connected on to direct on frame," said Dowiak.
The timing was fortuitous as Marra had just returned to the match replacing Erin Doster 29 seconds before scoring the goal.
The Rams (0-10-0, 0-2-0 A-10) searched for the equalizer, but the UMass defense was able to preserve the clean sheet with a pair of offside calls helping the Minutewomen late in the match as Rhode Island tried to stretch the field.
"URI put more pressure on us following Kelly's goal, but our defense and Peyton Ryan were up to the challenge," said Dowiak. "Peyton, Jenna, & Dani all played the full 90 minutes and anchored our team to keep the clean sheet again."
The shutout was the sixth of the season, third for Ryan, which marks the most for UMass since 2015. Ryan finished the day fairly unchallenged as she was forced to make just one save on five shots faced.
UMass finished the day with a 21-to-5 shot advantage and an 11-to-3 edge in corner kicks - a season-high total.
The two wins to open league play marks the first time since 2011 that UMass started 2-0 to start the A-10 season. The win on Sunday also marked UMass' best start to a season overall since posting a similar 7-2-0 record during the 2006 campaign.
The Minutewomen will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 27 when St. Bonaventure visits Rudd Field. Admission is free for the 4 PM kickoff and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription). Following the match against the Bonnies, UMass will then head to La Salle on Sunday, Sept. 30 for a 1 PM kickoff in Philadelphia.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's soccer team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassWSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
For Marra, the game-winner marked the fourth of her career and her seventh career goal overall. She put UMass on the board after collecting a corner kick service by Signe Schioldan and putting the shot on target.
"We came out firing on all cylinders, connecting, showing creativity, and creating chances," said head coach Jason Dowiak. "We had them pinned in their own half for long stretches in the first half but couldn't seem to tuck one away to break the ice."
UMass held a 13-to-2 shot advantage in the first half and a 7-to-2 edge in corner kicks, but Rhode Island keeper Haley Brennan made five of her nine saves in the opening stanza.
The Minutewomen had six shots in the final 10 minutes of the first half, but Brennan made three saves with two other shots going wide of target and a header by Sini Laaksonen going high.
The match went into intermission scoreless with UMass continuing to pressure in the second frame.
"Halfway through the second half, after again creating plenty of chances, we finally found the back of the net off a perfectly served corner kick by Signe that Kelly searched out and connected on to direct on frame," said Dowiak.
The timing was fortuitous as Marra had just returned to the match replacing Erin Doster 29 seconds before scoring the goal.
The Rams (0-10-0, 0-2-0 A-10) searched for the equalizer, but the UMass defense was able to preserve the clean sheet with a pair of offside calls helping the Minutewomen late in the match as Rhode Island tried to stretch the field.
"URI put more pressure on us following Kelly's goal, but our defense and Peyton Ryan were up to the challenge," said Dowiak. "Peyton, Jenna, & Dani all played the full 90 minutes and anchored our team to keep the clean sheet again."
The shutout was the sixth of the season, third for Ryan, which marks the most for UMass since 2015. Ryan finished the day fairly unchallenged as she was forced to make just one save on five shots faced.
UMass finished the day with a 21-to-5 shot advantage and an 11-to-3 edge in corner kicks - a season-high total.
The two wins to open league play marks the first time since 2011 that UMass started 2-0 to start the A-10 season. The win on Sunday also marked UMass' best start to a season overall since posting a similar 7-2-0 record during the 2006 campaign.
The Minutewomen will return to action on Thursday, Sept. 27 when St. Bonaventure visits Rudd Field. Admission is free for the 4 PM kickoff and the match will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription). Following the match against the Bonnies, UMass will then head to La Salle on Sunday, Sept. 30 for a 1 PM kickoff in Philadelphia.
For complete coverage of the UMass women's soccer team, follow the Minutewomen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassWSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
Team Stats
UMASS
URI
Goals
1
0
Shots
21
5
Shots on Goal
10
1
Saves
1
9
Corners
11
3
Fouls
5
5
Scoring Plays
Kelly Marra (4)
Assisted By: Signe Schioldan
GOAL by UMASS Kelly Marra (FIRST GOAL), Assist by Signe Schioldan, goal number 4 for season.
72:28
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerM
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