MANSFIELD, Conn. – Emily McKelvey scored with 38 seconds left in the first half, and top-seeded Eastern Connecticut added two goals in the final 10 minutes to defeat fifth-seeded Rhode Island College, 3-0, in the semifinals of the Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Soccer Championship on Wednesday at Rick McCarthy Field.

The Records
Eastern Connecticut (12-2-2, 6-0-2 Little East)
Rhode Island College (8-7-3, 3-2-3 Little East)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rhode Island College goalkeeper Nicole Nunes stopped two early shots from Kylie Gentile to keep the match scoreless. At the other end, Alex Ignatowicz turned away Janessa McKay in the 37th minute on what proved to be the Anchorwomen’s only shot on goal.

Eastern Connecticut broke through at 44:22 when McKelvey scored off assists from Faith Corona and Michaela Gasparri. The Warriors outshot Rhode Island College 8-3 in the first half and took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The score stayed 1-0 until the 81st minute, when Gasparri doubled the lead off assists from Gentile and Alana Burnell. Just over four minutes later, Burnell and McKelvey set up Glenda Zhiminaicela at 84:46 to make it 3-0. The Warriors limited Rhode Island College to one shot in the second half.

Inside The Statistics

• McKelvey and Gasparri each finished with a goal and an assist. Burnell assisted on both second-half goals.
• Ignatowicz made one save to earn the shutout, while Nunes finished with five saves for Rhode Island College.
• Eastern Connecticut held a 16-4 advantage in shots, put eight on goal and earned all nine corner kicks.

Up Next

Eastern Connecticut will host the LEC championship match on Saturday, Nov. 7. Rhode Island College finishes the season at 8-7-3.