Kingston, R.I. – The Le Moyne College women's soccer team were defeated 2-1 in the opening match of the 2025 season Thursday night.
Le Moyne (0-1)
Starters: McPheron (GK), Calle, Sylstra, Courcy, Cookinham, Vigliotti, LeBlanc, Pietrzak, Casey, Cutuli, Adigun
Rhode Island (1-0)
Starters: Eden (GK), Gilbert, Penny, Samalonis, Name, MacDonald, Rosenfeld, Rice, Poon, Camacho, Jacobs
Recap
"Tremendous effort by our group tonight," said head coach
Jaro Zawislan. "We came up just short of getting a positive result against a quality A10 Conference opponent."
The Dolphins had two debuts in the starting XI against the Rams. Junior forward
Hope Adigun (Clay, N.Y./Liverpool) made her debut in the starting lineup with the 'Phins after making five appearances in the 2024 season. Freshman defender
Giana Cutuli (Mexico, N.Y./Mexico) made her collegiate debut against the Rams, registering a shot on goal in 74 minutes of action.
Several other 'Phins made their debuts against the Rams. Freshman defender
Finley Brown (South Portland, Maine/Cheverus), freshman defender
Bailey Hatch (Gorham, Maine.Gorham), freshman midfielder
Grace Gironda (Red Bank, N.J./Middletown South), freshman midfielder
Ella Lathrop (Walworth, N.Y./Ruben A. Cirillo), and freshman forward
Kaitlyn Gilhooly (Chicopee, Mass./Chicopee Comprehensive) all earned minutes in the first match of the year.
The 1
st half saw plenty of action as Rhode Island (10) led Le Moyne (6) in total shots, however, both sides went into the break with the score level at 0-0. The Rams also had the advantage over the 'Phins in corners earned. Sophomore goalkeeper
Mikayla McPheron (Rome, N.Y./Rome Free Academy) made three saves in the first 45 minutes. Shots from
Giana Cutuli, senior midfielder
Jasmina Barhoumi (Worms, Germany/Nelly-Sachs-IGS/D'Youville), and
Finley Brown forced junior goalkeeper Dani Eden of the Rams to make three saves. Graduate student
Danielle Casey (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) also hit the woodwork in the 17
th minute of action, yet the two programs remained level.
Le Moyne found the back of the net first in the 2
nd half in the 67
th minute after
Ella Lathrop lofted a shot into the upper corner, just over the leap of the newly substituted goalkeeper Chelsea Mohammed of Rhode Island, for her first collegiate goal of her career.
Finley Brown assisted on the play, registering her first assist of her collegiate career as well.
Twelve minutes later in the 75
th minute, the Rams found their equalizer after McKenna Sylvester slipped a shot into the lower corner after collecting a pass from Courtney Poon in traffic. The Rams scored a late winner in the 85
th minute when Courtney Poon beat McPheron to a cross into the box, and fired a shot into the middle of the net.
Redshirt sophomore defender
Logan Cookinham (Poland, N.Y./Poland) and
Mikayla McPheron both played the full 90 minutes of action. Junior midfielder
Giovanna Vigliotti (Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee) (89) and
Danielle Casey both (86) were the only other 'Phins to register over 80 minutes of play.
"There were many positives that we will take from this game," said coach
Jaro Zawislan. "We will build on them as we prepare for the game on Sunday at Iona."
Following tonight's game, Le Moyne will continue it's road 5-game road stretch to start the season on Sunday, as they're scheduled to play the Iona Gaels at 3:00 P.M.