Women's Soccer
Rhody Nearly Completes Upset of #25 Charlotte at Home
Oct. 31, 2008
KINGSTON, R.I. -- Sarah Helldoerfer's first half header almost proved to be the difference, as the Rams dropped a 3-1 decision to visiting Charlotte.
Rhody's (6-12-1, 2-8 A-10) senior defender tallied the game's first goal in the 14th minute, taking an entry pass off of a Kaylen Shimoda corner kick. Helldoerfer converted her third goal of the season, beating Charlotte (14-3-1, 10-0 A-10) goalkeeper Lauren Brown.
The Rams controlled both sides of the field for close to 80 minutes of the match. In the 34th minute, URI junior Kassandra Spitler put a strong shot on-goal, that just sailed high and off the crossbar.
Just over three minutes later, Adrienne Ruhe Lischke also had a solid scoring opportunity carom off the crossbar. Rhode Island took a 1-0 lead into the break.
In the second half, Alexis Veith hit Rhody's third crossbar of the match with just under 15 minutes left in regulation. Spitler (69:02) and Stephanie Santos (76:17) each had shots go wide. URI attempted 11 shots (three on-goal).
Charlotte tallied the equalizer in the 80th minute. Sam Huecker scored an unassisted goal off a shot in the box, beating URI goalkeeper Agnes Arnadottir in the lower right corner.
In the 84th minute, Arnadottir was assessed a yellow card for a tackle in the box, which resulted in a penalty kick. Hailey Beam's PK attempt was saved by the Rejkjavik, Iceland native, but Heather Carter was able to control the rebound for the go-ahead goal.
Another foul in the box - at the 88:10 mark - by Rhode Island yielded a second PK for the 49ers. Beam converted her 14th goal of the season, putting Charlotte up 3-1.
For the match, Arnadottir made six saves in goal, while the 49ers' Lauren Brown stopped two Rhody shots.
URI closes out the 2008 regular season on Sunday, Nov. 2 when it hosts Saint Louis. Kickoff time is set for 1 p.m. Prior to the start of the match, seniors Sarah Helldoerfer and Becca Fish will be honored in their final appearance at the URI Soccer Complex.
