Syracuse 1, Rhode Island 0: Vigna’s late goal vaults Orange women past Rams

Syracuse (5-1-1) traveled to Kingston, R.I. yesterday afternoon to face the Rhode Island Rams (1-3-2) in the second match of a three-game road swing. They came away victorious, thanks to junior defender Jessica Vigna’s goal late in the contest.

Junior forward Eva Gordon made a move toward the net in the 89th minute that drew a penalty opportunity for the Orange. Vigna stepped up to take the kick, a veteran move by a player who hadn’t scored a goal in two years. She drilled the ball past goalie Katie Nickles, who had been perfect all night, sending Syracuse to their fifth win of the season.

Up until that point, the game had been pretty evenly matched as far as possession time. The Orange had created more opportunities with 12 shots to Rhode Island’s six. Three of those six had been true scoring opportunities that were snuffed out by Syracuse’s defense, giving junior goalkeeper Courtney Brosnan her fourth shutout of the year. Her 11th career clean sheet ties her for 5th place all-time in Orange history.

After the game, head coach Phil Wheddon touted it as the team’s best performance of the season, yet.

Players of the Match

• Jessica Vigna, defender (Jr.): 1 shot, 1 shot on-goal, 1 goal
• Sydney Brackett, forward (Fr.): 2 shots
• Maddie Iozzi, defender (Sr.): 2 shots (one off of the crossbar in the first half that almost gave Syracuse the lead then)
• Courtney Brosnan, goalkeeper (Jr.): 3 saves, 0 goals allowed

Up Next

The third and final game of the road trip will be this Sunday at Fairfield (1-6-0). Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. ET.

G’Orange!