Birrell, Seahawks glide to 8-2 win over RIC

NEWPORT, R.I. - Senior forward Kaitlyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) erupted for four goals as the Salve Regina women's soccer team earned an 8-2 victory over Rhode Island College at Brother Reynolds Field on Tuesday evening. With the win, the Seahawks improve to 3-2-0 on the season, while the Anchorwomen dip to 1-2-0 overall.

Birrell led the way for the Seahawks, scoring two goals in each half, while freshman Anna Shultz (Higganum, Conn.) had three points, contributing both a goal and an assist. Senior Ashley Jamieson (Warwick, R.I.) dished out a pair of assists in the win, while junior Erin McCullough (Ludlow, Mass.), sophomore Angelina Saporito (Bristol, Conn.), and sophomore Lauren Bulk (Portsmouth, R.I.) each scored one goal. Junior goalkeeper Jacqueline McPherson (Mansfield, Mass.) earned the win in net, making six saves on the day to improve to 3-2-0 on the year.

The Anchorwomen received markers from freshman Chelsea Combs (Ashford, Conn.) and sophomore Danielle Peloquin (Pawtucket, R.I.), while junior Lauren Bartlett (Coventry, R.I.) earned an assist. 

The Seahawks wasted little time getting on the board, as Saporito collected a loose ball at the top of the box and blasted it home for the game's first goal just 22 seconds into the match to give Salve Regina a 1-0 lead.

Jameison later set up Birrell for her first goal of the day in the 18th minute, expanding the Seahawks' advantage to 2-0.

Salve Regina blew things open when McCullough (24:45) and Birrell (25:08) scored within 23 seconds of each other to send the Seahawks into the break holding a 4-0 lead.

The senior connection of Jameison and Birrell hooked up for a second time just over 10 minutes into the second frame, stretching the lead to 5-0.

The Anchorwomen rallied back by scoring two of the next three goals, receiving tallies from Peloquin in the 58th minute and Combs in the 59th minute to cut the Salve Regina lead to 6-2.

However, Birrell put the game away with an unnassisted marker in the 74th minute, while freshman Alexis Pike (Smithfield, R.I.) delivered a beautiful pass to set up Bulk for the final score of the match, sealing the 8-2 victory for the Seahawks. 

The Anchorwomen will return to action on Saturday, facing Eastern Connecticut State on the road at 1 p.m. The Seahawks will be back on the pitch Thursday, hosting WPI at 3:30 p.m.