Sileo Lifts Seahawks Past Anchorwomen, 2-1

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Sophomore midfielder Jordan Sileo (Bristol, Conn.) netted what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 54th minute to lead the Salve Regina University women's soccer team past Rhode Island College, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at the RIC Soccer Field.

Salve Regina (4-2), which won for the third consecutive game, got on the board first in the 26th minute. Freshman forward Katelyn Birrell (Hope, R.I.) broke in and crossed a pass to senior forward Jennifer Duval (Dudley, Mass.), who was trailing the play. Duval sent the ball along the ground to the far post, just eluding the outstretched hand of RIC junior goalkeeper Maddie Pirri (Bristol, R.I.).

The Anchorwomen had several opportunities to tie the game in the first frame, highlighted by freshman forward Libby Lazar's (Wakefield, R.I.) rocket that Salve Regina senior goalkeeper Katie Vaudrain (Pawtucket, R.I.) tipped off the crossbar. Later in the first half, Vaudrain denied Lazar again and was forced to make a diving stop on senior midfielder Christina Tavana's (Middletown, Conn.) follow-up bid.

Sileo put the visitors on top for good nine minutes into the final period. Salve Regina attempted to cross a pass in the box, but it deflected off the RIC defense and went right to Sileo, who had nothing but open net to shoot at.

Salve Regina committed three fouls, resulting in free kicks late in the second half. Tavana took all three, finally cashing in with a beautiful 45-yard, arcing shot from straight on that beat Vaudrain.

The hosts put the ball on net several times in the final minutes, but were unable to get a shot past Vaudrain for the equalizer.

Salve Regina outshot RIC by three, 19-16, with the Anchorwomen totaling their best offensive output of the season. Vaudrain (4-2) earned the win with 10 saves. Pirri (1-2) also notched a 10-save effort - her third consecutive game with double-digit stops.