Women's Soccer Welcomes URI To McGuirk For A-10 Opener Thursday

University of Massachusetts Women's Soccer Game Notes & Information
Game 4	Massachusetts (1-2-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic 10) vs. Rhode Island (0-4-0, 0-0-0 Atlantic 10)
Date \| Time	Thursday, March 10, 2021 \| 2 p.m.
Location	Amherst, Mass. \| McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Watch	ESPN+ \| International Stream
Live Statistics	Live Stats
Twitter	@UMassAthletics \| @UMassWSoccer
Instagram	UMass Women's Soccer
Facebook	UMass Women's Soccer

AMHERST, Mass. – The UMass women's soccer team returns home to open Atlantic 10 play on Thursday afternoon when the Minutewomen host Rhode Island in a 2 p.m. contest at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

In accordance with UMass' COVID-19 protocols, all home games will be closed to spectators this season. The decision was made following consultation with local public health and university officials and in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order prohibiting large capacity venues from opening to the public.

The series with Rhode Island
UMass is 22-9-1 all-time against the Rams, and unbeaten vs. Rhode Island in each of the previous five meetings (4-0-1).

Last season on Rudd Field, after Rhode Island managed to tie the score in the final minute of regulation, Massachusetts responded in overtime with the game winner on a penalty kick from Sini Laaksonen, defeating the Rams, 2-1.

Ella Curry named A-10 Rookie of the Week
After scoring her first collegiate goal last week, first-year midfielder Ella Curry was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

Curry, a Collegeville, Pa. native, found the back of the net in the 14th minute against Stony Brook last Wednesday, a strike that stood as the eventual game-winning goal. Curry has played at least 75 minutes in all three matches early in the season, including three starts.

Home sweet home
UMass will play a majority of its games at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in 2020-21, where it is 1-0-0 on the young season. Massachusetts was 5-1-2 when playing at home last season on Rudd Field.

Last time out
Alyssa Chase made a career-high seven saves, but three strikes from UMass Lowell in a four-minute span proved to be the difference as the River Hawks knocked off UMass, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon at Cushing Field.

UMass Lowell outshot UMass 18-4 for the match (10-2 shots on goal) and earned five corners to the Minutewomen's four.

Barry and Sclafani named 2020-21 captains
Head coach Jason Dowiak announced on Feb. 8 that seniors Fatou Barry and Dani Sclafani will serve as co-captains for the 2020-21 season.

"Fatou and Dani have displayed great leadership qualities throughout their time at UMass," Dowiak said. "They always display genuine care and concern for their teammates, the coaches, and our support staff. They truly embody our core values of Prepare, Actions, Compete, Serve, and Informed which gives me great confidence in naming them our captains."

UMass picked third in Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll
Massachusetts was picked to finish third in the Atlantic 10 in the conference's preseason coaches' poll released on Feb. 3. The Minutewomen earned 155 points in the poll, trailing only defending conference champion Saint Louis (194 points, 12 first place votes) and George Washington (171 points, one first place vote).

Scoreboard

Women's Soccer Welcomes URI To McGuirk For A-10 Opener Thursday

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Players Mentioned

Fatou Barry

Alyssa Chase

Ella Curry

Sini Laaksonen

Dani Sclafani

Scoreboard

University of Massachusets Athletics