Bronx, N.Y. – (September 28, 2022) – Netting seven out of nine points to start the conference season, the Fordham women's soccer team looks to extend that strong start to Atlantic 10 play with two matches this week. The Rams travel to Saint Joseph's for a Thursday night match, while hosting Rhode Island on Sunday for Alumni Day.
Fordham (3-6-1, 2-0-1 A10) earned it second win of Atlantic 10 play this past Sunday, posting a 2-1 victory over George Mason behind goals from
Marissa Krenn and
Natalie Velde. The Rams have seven points in the league standings through three games, the team's best start since 2018, when the Rams won their first four contests for 12 points.
Saint Joseph's (1-5-6, 0-0-4 A10) has had an interesting run over last few weeks, posting five consecutives draws, which included the first four matches of Atlantic 10 play. The Hawks are led by Jiselle Jensen and Natalie Nevins, who each have seven points on the season. In goal, Katie Cappelletti has played every minute this year for Saint Joseph's, recording 47 saves, four shutouts, and a 1.67 goals against average.
Rhode Island (1-6-5, 0-2-2 A10) will face Richmond on Thursday before coming to Rose Hill on Sunday. Thus far, Tierra Garniss is the team's leading goal scorer with four goals, while Brooke Cavino has three markers on the year. In net, Rhode Island has split time between Faith Hutchins and Carly Travers. Hutchins has played the majority of the season with almost 900 minutes of action, recording 33 saves and two shutouts.
GAME COVERAGE:
Thursday – Fordham at Saint Joseph's – 7:00 PM –
Live Video (ESPN+) |
Live Stats | Follow on the team on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram - @FordhamWoSoc
Sunday – Rhode Island at Fordham – 1:00 PM –
Live Video (ESPN+) |
Live Stats |
International Video Feed | Follow on the team on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram - @FordhamWoSoc
SERIES HISTORY: This is the 29th meeting between Fordham and Saint Joseph's with the series split down the middle with each team having 11 wins to go with six draws. In the most recent meeting last fall, the Hawks got the better of the Rams with a 2-0 decision at Jack Coffey Field.
For Rhode Island, Fordham is 12-10-3 in the Battle of the Rams and are 8-1-2 in the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2010. The teams actually played three times in the last calendar year with Fordham winning twice during the abbreviated 2021 spring season, while Rhode Island won once in the fall.
LAST TIME OUT: Last Sunday, Fordham freshman
Natalie Velde netted the game-tying goal to get the Rams a draw against George Washington. This Sunday, Velde did one better, scoring the game-winning goal in the second half to give Fordham a 2-1 win over the George Mason Patriots at George Mason Stadium.
George Mason opened the scoring early in the fifth minute off a set piece for a 1-0 lead. Milan Pierre-Jerome took the corner kick, which found Zoe Vidaurre for the header goal, her second of the season.
Fordham knotted the game at one in the 31st minute, as
Marissa Krenn went on a long run from her defender spot and scored on a shot to the top left corner from 20 yards out. It was the first goal of her career.
The score stayed tied at one until the 62nd minute, when Fordham found the go-ahead goal.
Ryann Lucas played a cross into the box from the near side to
Kristen Cocozza. Cocozza settled and dished the ball to the top of the box to
Natalie Velde, who tucked a shot inside the far post for her team-leading third goal of the season.
The Rams' defense held strong for the remaining 28 minutes, holding the Patriots to only two shots over that time to seal the win. In net,
Maria O'Sullivan made two saves for the Rams in the victory, while George Mason had five total saves from their two goalkeepers who each played a half.
FRESHMAN SCORING: Freshman
Natalie Velde has come on strong over the last five games, netting three goals in that span, including a game-tying goal against George Washington and a game-winning marker at George Mason. She is the first Fordham freshman to tally three goals in a season since Margaret Roughley in 2016.
RAMSES CHALLENGE: As a part of a new fundraising challenge this season, fans can pledge support for the team in the Ramses Challenge for each goal the women's soccer team scores this season.
Be a part of the challenge by clicking here.
WHO'S NEXT: The Rams have only one match next week, when they host La Salle on October 9
th for a 1:00 PM match.
