Stanton Header Lifts Rams to Second Straight Overtime Win

Rhody Starters
Leyh, Warjas, Hansen, Bailes, Ari Stanton, Brennan, Lieberman, Alex Stanton, Gylfadottir, Nardella, Nickles (GK)

Manhattan Starters
Center, Angelo, Perry, Ude, Barton, Aylmer, Carlson, McIlvenny, Garrity, Morgante, Skonieczny (GK)

Scoring Summary

OT - Ari Stanton (Leyh) - 98:50 (1st of season)

How It Happened

1st Half

Rhode Island outshot Manhattan 6-2 in the first frame, but only put two shots on goal against Kristen Skonieczny. After an early corner chance for the Jaspers, the Rams got the best chance of the half in the 35-39 minute range. Katrin Gylfadottir had her shot turned away by Skonieczny and the Rams followed that chance with two corners and two shot attempts within three minutes. 

2nd Half

Gylfadottir provided more of the same in the second half as she attempted a corner kick and sent two shots wide on her way to leading all players with four total shots. After Simone Hansen was booked for a yellow card in the 79th minute, the Rams would get the last bid in regulation on a Donika Murray header that sailed wide.

Extra Time

Playing in their third straight overtime game, the Rams stormed the Manhattan end and earned a free kick. Set piece specialist Sam Leyh stepped up and put a beautiful ball into the box and Ari Stanton placed her header perfectly to seal the deal and give the Rams their second straight OT win.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island improved to 2-0-1 on the season, while Manhattan fell to 2-2-0 on the year.
• URI outshot Manhattan 13-8 and did not allow a shot on goal, while collecting five of their own. 
• Rhody doubled up the Jaspers on corner kick opportunities, 4-2.
• Rhode Island was called for the two offsides infractions, while the Jaspers were only caught once.
• Gylfadottir led all players with four shots, while last week's MAAC Player of the Week Aislinn McIlvenny led the Jaspers with three..
• Katie Nickles wasn't forced to make any saves, but she anchored the defensive effort en route to her first clean sheet of the season, and the second straight for the team.

Quotables

Head Coach Michael Needham

• We're doing a good job defending, we defend and defend, and then we pick spots to get in and attack.
• We could've been better, playing away at 10 a.m. is a challenge, but the kids did a pretty good stepping up to that and grinding.
• We started the game pretty well, fell out of rhythm a bit and then found our rhythm again in the second half. We had some chances to put it away in regulation and didn't, but we got a set piece in OT, Sammy put it in a good place and Ari went up and got it. Great placement, even better finish, and we got it done.
• Sam is very good on set pieces. She took a back seat the last few years to other players and we never really saw how good she was. It's good to see a special player stepping up to do special things to help the team win.
• We did another good job of grinding one out, now we have to recover, get a good week of training in, and prepare for another good match against Bryant.

Additional Notes

• Stanton's goal was the fifth of her career and her second game-winner.
• Simone Hansen was booked for her first yellow card in the 79th minute.
• Rhode Island is now 5-0 all-time against the Jaspers.

Up Next

The Rams return to Kingston to host the Bryant Bulldogs on Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 at the URI Soccer Complex