From the desk of Robert Kirk - Rhode Island College Sports Information

PROVIDENCE, RI— Western Connecticut State used a stifling defensive effort and timely scoring to top the Rhode Island College women's soccer team, 3-0, in Little East Conference soccer action at the RIC Soccer Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Colonials (7-4-1, 1-1-1 LEC) opened the scoring in the sixth minute when junior midfielder Emily Newhard (Wallingford, CT) intercepted a pass just outside the RIC (1-9, 0-3 LEC) 18-yard box and ripped a shot that caromed in off the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.

The Colonials carried the play for the majority of the half, but RIC freshman goalkeeper Katherine Haley (Hope, RI) was up to the task, fending off the Western attack to keep the deficit at one going in to the break.

Haley stopped four shots in the frame while her counterpart, sophomore Jillian Fernandez (Columbia, CT) turned away two shots. Western held an 18-5 advantage in shots during the stanza.

Western nearly doubled their lead in the 52nd minute when sophomore forward Autumn Sorice (Bethel, CT) blasted a shot from five yards out off a feed from senior defender Lisa Sanzari (North Haven, CT) but Haley was up to the challenge, making a spectacular diving save.

The Colonials finally broke through in the 68th minute when junior midfielder Celia DeVoe (Farmington, CT) sent a long cross to Sanzari who played a quick pass to senior defender Rebecca Rivera (Monroe, CT) who found the back of the net from 20 yards out. Western tacked on a goal in the 89th minute when junior midfielder Stacey Weinberg (Port Washington, NY) battled around a RIC defender and scored off a long thru pass from Newhard.

Haley (0-5-0) made 10 saves for the Anchorwomen with Fernandez (7-4-1) turning aside four in the shutout victory. Western outshot RIC 33-11 on the game and held a decisive 6-1 edge in corner kicks.

In upcoming action, the Anchorwomen will host Becker College in a non-conference contest on Tuesday, Oct. 6 (4 p.m.).