Box Score BRISTOL, R.I. – The Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team was unable to post back-to-back wins, as the Hawks were downed 2-0 to MIT Tuesday evening.
 
MIT controlled possession in their offensive half for most of the early part of the game, but the Roger Williams defense held its own against the Engineers. The Hawks utilized extra defenders to help keep MIT at bay.
 
The Engineers almost scored first in the 24^th minute off of a corner kick. Emily Berzolla (Riverside, Conn.) bent a corner that was headed for the inside of the goal, but Hawk keeper Natalie O'Donovan (Quincy, Mass.) managed to punch the ball away. However her save bounced toward MIT's Maya Nielan (Danville, Calif.) who had an open shot on goal. Yet she would tap her shot a bit too high over the goal.
 
Then five minutes later, Allie Hrabchak (Princeton, N.J.) had a pair of chances for the Engineers but could not convert. She put up a shot that was denied by O'Donovan, but bounced back to her. Hrabchak knocked another shot on net, but RWU's Carly Quinn (Danielson, Conn.) got in front of the goal and put a body on the ball to keep it out of the net.
 
MIT broke through in the second half, with Amy Apostol (Los Gatos, Calif.) notching the goal. In the 56^th minute, Montana Reilly (Los Angeles, Calif.) found her on the right side of the box, leading to a turn-and-shoot by Apostol. Her shot bounced off a Hawk defender and bounced off the crossbar. She would catch a fortunate bounce right back to her and knocked a second-chance shot into the left corner.
 
The 69^th minute saw RWU nearly get the game-tying score. An MIT foul led to a free kick by Kayla LaRosa (Newington, Conn.). Her ball would find the head of Morgan Snow (Rowley, Mass.), who pushed her shot just wide left.
 
MIT would add an insurance goal in the 76^th minute, when Allie Werner (Tyler, Texas) pushed a pass up the middle to Claire O'Callaghan (Sherborn, Mass.). O'Callaghan got in front of the defense and knocked a shot into the left corner for a 2-0 Engineer lead.
 
The Hawks made one last push in the closing minutes, getting corner kicks on three consecutive chances. The best opportunity for RWU came on the first corner when a pass back led to a long on-target shot by Ali Waxgiser (Harding, N.J.). MIT's Lily Mueller (Lakeville, Minn.) needed a jumping punch save to knock it over the goal and keep RWU off the board.
 
Mueller made two saves in the shutout, while O'Donovan finished the game with six saves for RWU.
 
"We were outstanding tonight against a nationally ranked team and for long parts of the game didn't seem out of place or out matched," said Head Coach Tim Moody.  "We were able to implement our strategy that we had worked on in practice and you could see we were causing them some concern as well as frustration with limited avenues to attack.
 
"We shut down the passing lanes similar to the Conn. game and we were disciplined enough to not chase the ball and keep our shape. Communication was clear tonight and giving information from player to player to stay focused in our system of play.
 
"However, a couple of misplaced passes cost us the game and they scored off a rebound from the post and then a well taken shot to the far post. It was a good lesson about taking chances when get in front of goal, we had quality service into the box from corners as well as freeckicks and we need to get to a better return. The longer we go this fall season I believe these chances will turn into goals and then more wins.
 
"I think we learned many things tonight, including defending individually and collectively. When we have the ball to find each other quickly to feet and then to exploit space in behind when teams are pressing to get into the final third of the pitch.
 
"We are a work in progress and the players as well as coaching staff are finding new ways to achieve our short and long term goals. Our practices are asking questions and our players need to make better decisions in what they see on the pitch, play the game or take what the game gives them. Being able to see the problems and solve them is the next step we need to work on. After all, it is a players game, coaching only goes so far. The signs are positive and the players are understanding these concepts we ask of them and they all want to learn, to get better.
 
"They are a great group of players who are motivated to be successful again."
 
Roger Williams (1-4-0) begins Commonwealth Coast Conference play Saturday at home against Gordon College. MIT (6-0-0) plays its NEWMAC opener Friday against Wheaton College.