Spiders Roll On Senior Day In 2-1 Win Over Rhody

Sunday, October 9

Robins Stadium (Richmond, Va.)

1:00 PM

University of Richmond

7-5-1, 2-2-0

Rhode Island

3-6-3, 0-3-1

Rhode Island

Richmond

10/09/2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Richmond Athletics

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. – Excessive winds and aggressive play could not put a damper on the University of Richmond women's soccer Senior Day, as the Spiders scored twice in the first half to take a 2-1 win over visiting Rhode Island on Sunday afternoon.

Before the game, the Spiders honored seniors Meaghan Carrigan, Hunter Rooney, Lindsay Egbers and Kate Smith.

“It was a great win,” head coach Peter Albright said. “Rhode Island was a very tough opponent, and hung around and were very persistent. It really tested our character in the second half.”

Junior Lexi Prillaman started the scoring for the Spiders in the 21^st minute of play when she received a header ball from senior Hunter Rooney on a corner play, and buried it for a 1-0 Richmond lead. Senior Lindsay Egbers was also credited with an assist, as she headed the ball to Rooney off of the initial corner kick.

The goal was Prillaman's conference-leading tenth of the season, while Rooney and Egbers made their Senior Day count with their first and third asststs of the season, respectively.

Freshman Brooke Beam doubled the Spider lead in the 36^th minute when she received a ball from junior Lindsey Williams, who had subbed on just a few seconds earlier. Beam beat a defender and sent a left-footed shot into the top right corner of the goal to give Richmond a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

The goal was Beam's second of the season, while William's logged her team-leading fourth assist of the year.

“We really came out strong in the first half,” Albright added. “We came out firing on all cylinders. I think Senior Day was terrific.”

Rhode Island came out strong to start the second half, scoring just 21 seconds in on Rachael Lieberman's first goal of the season.

The Spiders rebounded, and were able to hold off the Rams for the remainder of the game. Physical play was on display in the second stanza, as both teams were booked with yellow cards a combined-five times.

“It's good that we could put two goals away in the first half and come into the second half with momentum,” Prillaman said. “Fortunately, we were able to hold them to just one goal, and in the end, winning is all that matters.”

Freshman Carlie Blessing finished the game with six saves for the Spiders, including a leaping stop late in the game on would have been the game-tying goal for the Rams. Richmond outshot Rhode Island 17-11.

“The A-10 is a very competitive league, but we'll the six points out of the home stand,” Albright said. “We have some really tough games coming up, and hope to continue to keep climbing the ladder.”

The Spiders will hit the road again next weekend, as the travel to Philadelphia to take on Saint Joseph's on Thursday night before making their second trip to Washington, D.C. to face George Washington on Sunday. Thursday's game is set for 7 p.m.