Springfield, Mass. – September 14, 2024 – The Springfield College women's soccer team used four first half goals to defeat Rhode Island College, 6-1, on Saturday afternoon on Brock-Affleck Field.

Springfield, the fourth-ranked team in the first United Soccer Coaches Region II poll and now unbeaten in four straight matches to open the 2024 campaign, improved to 3-0-1, while Rhode Island College fell to 4-2-0.

Graduate student Jen Walker (Webster, Mass.), junior Kayla McGrath (North Adams, Mass.) and first-years Mia Salmon (Arlington, Va.) and Molly Baxter (Pleasantville, N.Y.) all registered a goal and an assist to lead the Springfield offense, while junior Kaitlyn Suller (Oviedo, Fla.) added two assists on the afternoon for the Pride. First-year Peyton Knott (Leicester, Mass.) as well as graduate student Olivia Raucci (Schenectady, N.Y.) all also tallied solo goals for Springfield in the rout.

Springfield scored early and often in the first half as Salmon finished a cross from Walker just 5:20 into the game for the 1-0 edge. Salmon's marker was her second of the fall. Then, just eight minutes later Walker doubled Springfield's lead with her second goal of the year, which came off one touch passes from both Salmon and Suller.

In the 28th minute, Springfield was awarded a corner kick that was taken by Madison Daly (Enfield, Conn.). Daly booted the ball from the left side to the foot of Suller, who played a one touch ball to Baxter, who headed it past the Rhode Island College keeper for Springfield's third goal of the afternoon. Baxter's goal was the first of her collegiate career, while Suller earned her second assist on the day.

Raucci capped the scoring for Springfield in the 40th minute with her first goal on Alden Street, which came as a penalty kick as the Pride took a 4-0 advantage into the break.

Rhode Island College was able to break the shutout early in the second stanza as Marissa Ruzzano buried a penalty kick of her own – her fourth tally of the season, but Springfield added a pair of markers over the final ten minutes of play to account for the 6-1 final.

McGrath finished a long through ball from Baxter for Springfield's fifth goal, while Knott registered her first collegiate goal off a corner kick service by Emilee Surber (Deep River, Conn.) to round out the scoring. Surber's corner kick assist was the first point of her collegiate career.

The Springfield keeper tandem of Mallory Forgatch (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) and Micaela Tracey (Mahwah, N.J.) didn't have to make a save in the 6-1 win this afternoon. Forgatch earned her first win of the season and third of her career today.

As a team, Springfield held a 23-3 advantage in shots and an 8-4 edge in corner kicks.

Springfield will return to action with a road match at RPI on Wednesday, September 18 at 7:00 pm

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