BRISTOL, R.I.  – The Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team fell 2-1 to Suffolk University Tuesday evening in overtime in the team's final game of the regular season.
 
Hawk Highlights
Leah Yucius: 1 goal, 4 shots, 1 shot on goal
Rachel Oster: 1 assist, 8 shots, 2 shots on goal
Bianca Robbins: 8 shots, 4 shots on goal
Morgan McCutcheon: L, 5 saves, 2 goals allowed, 99:00 minutes in goal
 
For The Opponents
Jazmya Harris: 2 goals, 3 shots, 3 shots on goal
Hayley Long: 1 assist, 3 shots, 1 shot on goal
Lily Christian: 1 assist, 2 shots
Allison Rodrigues: W, 11 saves, 1 goal allowed, 99:00 minutes in goal
 
How It Happened
Roger Williams put offensive pressure on Suffolk in the early part of the game, putting up four shots in the first seven minutes of play. Though the Hawks were unable to convert on any of the chances, they made their presence felt in the early goings of the game.
 
Rachel Oster (Scituate, R.I.) came close to putting Roger Williams on the board in the 12^th minute, taking a throw-in and maneuvering her way down the field and into the center of the box. She fired one on net, but directly at Suffolk keeper Allison Rodrigues (North Andover, Mass.).
 
Hayley Long (Exeter, N.H.) tried to get the Rams going around the 14^th minute, putting up three shots in the span of two minutes. Two of her attempts were off the mark, while her third was turned away by RWU's Morgan McCutcheon (Danbury, Conn.).
 
In the 25^th minute, Suffolk notched the first goal of the game when Lily Christian (Plymouth, Mass.) found Jazmya Harris (East Providence, R.I.) on the left side of the box for a shot into the left corner of the net. Her fourth tally of the year would give Suffolk a 1-0 lead.
 
Roger Williams had a couple of opportunities to get on the board late in the opening half. Oster and Bianca Robbins (Johnston, R.I.) both had shots stuffed by Rodrigues, while Leah Yucius (Duxbury, Mass.) pushed her shot wide left with five minutes left in the period. In the final minute, Robbins tried to slip a shot past Rodrigues' left side, but a diving stop kept Roger Williams without a score and kept the Rams' 1-0 advantage into halftime.
 
The early part of the second half saw both teams struggle with a strong southerly wind, with goal kicks by Suffolk dying in the breeze and Roger Williams having difficulty controlling their passes and shots with the wind at their back. RWU and Suffolk combined for four shots over the first 20 minutes of the period.
 
In the 69^th minute, Lexi Larson (Norton, Mass.) tried to take advantage of that strong wind off of a free kick. She launched a 35-yarder from the middle of the field that was headed top shelf in the left corner. However, Rodrigues was able to get a hand on it, punching it just high enough to deflect it off the crossbar.
 
Roger Williams tied the game in the 74^th minute on a somewhat controversial play. A body check in the box off of a cross led to Rodrigues being taken down while the game played on. Oster took advantage to find Yucius on the left side for an open goal. After deliberations by the head ref and the side ref, the goal stood, and the game would be tied at one apiece.
 
The Hawks almost took the lead in the 79^th minute, when Robbins launched a shot from the left side past Rodrigues to the right. Unfortunately for the Hawks, her shot just glanced off of the post. Ariana Montero (Milford, Conn.) tried to put in the rebound, but bounced her shot off of a Ram defender.
 
RWU had two other chances late to take the lead. Larson had another free kick that, similar to her first, was punched up and off the crossbar. Then with four minutes left, Oster was able to control a loose ball that got past Rodrigues and had an open net, but couldn't get the angle as her shot went outside into the left side of the net.
 
In the overtime period, Long connected with Harris with one minute left on the clock for the game-winning tally. Long came up with a loose ball off of a free kick and found Harris would kicked in her second goal of the game to give Suffolk the win.

Coach's Corner
We were excellent tonight. We created enough quality chances to score twenty goals and win twenty games. Despite difficult conditions we still played a great brand of soccer and looked like a quality outfit from start to finish. Even though we went behind, we fought gallantly for 90 minutes and into overtime. We did not get the breaks we would have liked, but sometimes you do not get what you deserve. If we had scored the goals when were on top, we would had deserved to win the match. We did not, so that is what happens, it hurts and it will hurt for some time, or at least until we practice again tomorrow and prepare for the postseason. 

For us to take that next step and compete at the top of the food chain, we need to do much better at both ends of the pitch. We are all judged by how many goals we score, keeping clean sheets, and, in the end winning games and collecting three points. We scored again tonight, because we can score goals but should have had many more and had we done so, another win would have been a fair result for this team.

We have let too many games get away from us this season and we should have wrapped up this game in the first five minutes. It is a game of inches and that means players need to get out of their comfort zone, to do more and help, push or prod themselves or teammates to do more. If we are prepared to take the risk in the right areas we will all get rewarded. Everybody is responsible for the match result, every player has a role and responsibility, we can only win as a team. You cannot expect to grow and develop if you do not push the boundaries. It is important to believe and take that leap of faith. We are a great group of individuals, perhaps too nice at times, we need to develop an alter ego who enjoys being the player no one likes to play against but desperately needs on their team.

On Saturday we will find out what we have learned this fall. The regular season is over, it is all about the playoffs. We start fresh, everyone is on a level playing field. This is where the fun time starts, win and progress, or go home. It is exciting and why we all play the game. After all, the game is the best teacher. 

What's Next
Roger Williams (12-7-0, 5-4-0 CCC): Saturday, October 30 (CCC Quarterfinals)
Suffolk (11-5-0, 5-4-0 CCC): Saturday, October 30 (CCC Quarterfinals)