FINAL SCORE: Rhode Island 4, Vermont 2
KINGSTON, R.I. – The Catamounts scored twice in less than a two-minute span in the second half but could not find the equalizer to complete a comeback on Sunday afternoon at Rhode Island in a 4-2 defeat. Vermont splits the opening weekend with a 1-1 record while Rhode Island also improves to 1-1 with its first win of the 2017 season.  
 
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The Catamounts controlled the offensive tempo in the early parts of the game with three shots in a five-minute stretch. Savana Yurick had a chance to get UVM on the scoreboard in the fifth minute, but her attempt was stopped by URI keeper Haley Brennan (5 saves). Less than and minute later, Colby Snyder booted an attempt but the shot sailed wide.
 
Later in the half, Vermont's defense stepped up to evade a pair of corner kicks by the Rams. Jennifer Menco set up the scoring chance with a corner kick and Taylor Ross managed to leap up for the header which flew harmlessly over the crossbar.  
 
In the 20th minute, the Rams broke the scoreless tie with Madison Waldron's first goal of the season. From about 40 yards out, the junior forward bent a shot into the top right corner of the net past a diving Coco Speckmaier (4 saves). 
 
Rhode Island added an insurance goal shortly before the end of the half after Ross and Menco teamed up on a corner kick. Menco sent a line drive into the box where Ross was waiting on the receiving end and knocked in the second goal of the game with a header.  
 
Three minutes to the final period, Ross netted her second goal of the game and gave the Rams a 3-0 advantage. Ross scored the goal with a header after getting a cross from Allyson Reynolds.
 
Near the midway point of the second half, the Catamounts mounted a comeback with two goals in a two-minute span. Brooke Jenkins tapped in a rebound from Yurick's shot in the 62nd minute that was deflected off Brennan. Two minutes later, Yurick followed with a goal of her own to cut the deficit to 3-2. 
 
As the clocked ticked under 10 minutes to go, Ross stretched URI's lead to 4-2 with a penalty kick goal to complete the hat trick. On Vermont's ensuing possession, Jenkins and Sarah Martin had attempts at a goal but could not sneak a shot past Brennan.
 
Vermont returns home on Sunday, Aug. 27 to host Florida International. Action gets underway at 12 p.m. at Virtue Field. Single game tickets are available at UVMathletics.com/Tickets or at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office on gameday. Free live video is available in HD at AmericaEast.TV.
 
Almartin Volvo is the presenting sponsor of the 2017 women's soccer season.