PHILADELPHIA – Led by the tandem of redshirt-senior
Madison Bower and sophomore
Molly O'Brien, the La Salle University women's soccer team (8-4-1, 3-3 A-10) overpowered Rhode Island (0-13-1, 0-5-1 A-10) in a complete team effort Sunday afternoon at McCarthy Stadium. The Explorers took the game, 4-1.
COACH SAYS:
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"It was great to see the girls close out a great weekend," said head coach Paul Royal. "We thought their execution in final third was as good as it been all season. Our team's attitude and confidence continued to grow all week leading up to these two important games. A big reason for that was our outstanding senior leadership. I felt they were the key to us turning this season around. It was also great to see some outstanding performances from Molly, Madison, Jess and Clarissa who continued to impact our attack. One of the big differences was our defensive commitment as a group. I thought we benefited a lot from the fact that every player that went in contributed and had an influence on the game in some way."
"Our attention now shifts to what could be one of our toughest road games this season in Dayton. After this weekend, however, I'm real confident that the girls will continue to improve our play as we look to finish up the A-10 slate on a high note."
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was a defensive battle for the first 30 minutes of the game, before La Salle scored three goals over a 13-minute span to close the first half.
- During the 32nd minute, O'Brien fed the ball over to Bower, who blasted the one timer to start the scoring efforts for the Explorers.
- The tandem connected again about five minutes later when Bower sent the ball into the box for O'Brien to tap in.
- Rounding out the first half, O'Brien scored her second goal of the game, this time on an assist from redshirt-senior Julia Rufe. Rufe passed the ball into the box for O'Brien to chip in.
- The Explorers and Rams traded goals in the second half, as junior Jess Shanahan picked up her first goal of the season from just outside the box.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- La Salle led in every category offensively, including shots (24-9), shots on goal (10-4) and corner kicks (6-3).
- In net, sophomore keeper Claudia Jenkins made three saves, allowing the lone goal.
- Bower and O'Brien are now tied for the team lead in points with 19.
- O'Brien has scored five points in back-to-back games, tying her career high against the Rams.
- Bower sits seventh all-time in goals (23) and ninth all-time in points (60).
UP NEXT:
La Salle will take on Dayton on Thursday, October 11 for match one of the Explorers back-to-back road games. First touch is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN .
