DUDLEY, Mass. – The Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team ended a five-game skid and won its Commonwealth Coast Conference opener with a 2-0 decision over Nichols College.
 
The Hawks wasted little time getting on the board, scoring less than three minutes into the game. Sarina Olson (Bristol, R.I.) was able to make her way around a pair of Bison defenders to find Kylie Casey (E. Longmeadow, Mass.). Casey then knocked in the shot to give Roger Williams a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Hawks held on to their 1-0 lead into the second half. In the 65^th minute, Maggie Hickey (Greenville, R.I.) would add another goal for RWU. She caught the Bison defense off guard with a long shot to beat the Nichols keeper and double the Roger Williams lead.
 
The Hawk defense did work all day, allowing Nichols only one shot in the game.
 
"Our season has officially just begun. We played our first CCC game away from home on the road at Nichols and came away with a resounding victory," said Head Coach Tim Moody. "We dominated the game, created numerous scoring opportunities and played with conviction. So, as much as we were very happy with the result, the performance was the difference and just as important.
 
"Our approach and willingness to attack from all over the park made us dangerous and we fully deserved the win today. After looking at the teams in the conference and their results, it is great to be on top of the league, even after just one match. We won the game, kept a clean sheet and have a better goal difference than anyone else.
 
"We had very good performances from our first-year players and the returners played at the level that is expected of them. We didn't look in danger at all during the game because we were able to keep the ball, that is our way of playing defense, by ball retention. If we keep the ball and make the other team chase it, they get tired and we have a win, win situation.
 
"We prepared very well for this game, we didn't take it for granted. We had game plan and executed it down to the letter. It was a very rewarding day and showed we are a good team, with good players and have the ability to be dangerous, as well finish the chances we create for ourselves.
 
"We are still a work in progress and expect more and can deliver more, but today was an all=round excellent performance from top to bottom. The strikers did what they had to do, the midfield did what they needed to do and the backline, plus goalkeeper were focused and disciplined as well by neutralizing their options going forward.
 
"It is a good place to build a platform with a win, a shutout, no cards or injuries! Now we need to turn our attention to the next game and have that willingness to prepare for the next challenge that awaits this team."