BRISTOL, R.I.—The Roger Williams Women's Soccer team fell to Worcester Polytechnic Institute 6-3 on a Tuesday night under the lights.
 
The Hawks took an early lead in the eighth minute when freshman midfielder Kelly Yaydoff (Wyckoff, N.J.) hit the back of the net from a pass from teammate Kayla LaRosa (Newington, Conn.) to make the score 1-0.
 
Later on in the first half, Hawk's Raleigh LeMiere-Barnes (Los Angeles, Calif.) took a shot from just outside the 18 after a foul was called against WPI. She aimed for the bottom right corner of the net as the ball slid in to make the score 2-0.
 
In the 27^th minute, Goat's Leah Beuton (Colchester, Conn.) got one past Hawk's goalkeeper Morgan Strassburg (Longmeadow, Mass.) to make it 2-1 going into halftime.
 
In the second half, Beuton didn't let up against RWU. She nailed a shot in the 49^th minute to tie the game 2-2 and put WPI back on track.
 
The Hawks answered by Yadoff taking another pass from LaRosa and hitting the right corner of the net to put RWU back on top 3-2 with 20 minutes left in regulation.
 
In the 75^th minute, Beuton struck again scoring a hat trick and her ninth season goal to secure the lead 4-2.
 
For the rest of the second half, WPI's Becca Hapgood (Halifax, Mass.) and Sofia Orrico (Bethel, Conn.) fought to score two more goals within 10 minutes to bring home the 6-3 win.
 
Strassburg had 12 saves for the Hawks and first WPI goalkeeper Gabrielle Hoops (Stonington, Conn.) had 2 and second goalkeeper Mandy St. Germain (Worcester, Mass.) had none.
 
"I see real progress with the players as well as the team and that may sound funny considering the scoreline but since the season began we have struggled to create scoring opportunities and today we scored three goals, could have been more," said Head Coach Tim Moody. "Every field player and goalkeeper has shown progress and we are moving forward at practice all together a one unit. You can see the difference from early on to now.
 
"The weather conditions were not ideal but it was the same for both teams. We got on top in the first half playing with the wind and they took full advantage of it in the 2nd half. Had we kept the score at 2-nil or gone up 3-1 with the last kick of the ball we felt the outcome could have been different.
 
"It was a good sign to score a 3rd goal after they had equalized. However, you need to understand how to manage a game, close things down and shut up shop, limit mistakes and opportunities and see the game out. It doesn't have to be pretty at that point.
 
"There is a fine line between average, good and great teams. Matches are always in the balance, you cannot just talk a good game, actions speak louder than words. When you are on the pitch it is time to deliver and we are just falling short at the moment. But it is not a sprint, more of a marathon and by the playoffs we will have a better feel of what sort of team we are or what we want to be. We don't always play the same players and so everyone has a chance to start a game for us.
 
"Over the past few weeks different players have played well but we still need to find the right balance and chemistry in practice as well as games. Our entire squad is improving, everyone is getting an opportunity to showcase their individual talents during practice in drills, small-sided games as well 11v11.
 
"The goalkeepers have all had a chance to play a game or two and they all have different strengths. We have a young team that is going through growing pains, but on the other side there is optimism we shall be better for it.
 
"In the past you have watched the light bulb come on some players when they eventually see what we want them to see, but there is no magic button, only the will to prepare and the will to work. This young team I believe have both."

The Hawks face Framingham State at home on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. while the Goats matchup against Smith on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.