Providence,R.I. - In a thrilling showdown at the Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex, the Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team held off Johnson and Wales University, 1-0, on Saturday night to claim the first-ever Rhode Island Cup. The Hawks got a tremendous performance from Morgan McCutcheon (Danbury, Conn.) who recorded her third career shutout, while Bianca Robbins (Johnston, R.I.) continued her torrid goal-scoring pace in the win.
 
With the victory, the Hawks improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2013. While the Wildcats fell to 2-1.
 
Individually, Robbins now has seven goals in just three games on the season, thus matching her ten-game total from her freshman campaign and she has scored in each of RWU's first three contests.
 
The Hawks continue to get terrific work in net as their goaltending corps have yet to allow a goal across three games. Tonight it was McCutcheon who handled the shutout herself, the third of her career and first of the season. She made ten saves on the evening, the second most she has recorded in a single game in her career and the most in a shutout. In the process, she improved to 2-0 in net on the season.
 
On the other side, Carly McCrumb (Grandville, Mich.) faced four shots on goal and recorded three saves and dropped to 2-1 in net.
 
Hawk Highlights
Bianca Robbins: 1 goal (GW), 2 shots, 1 shot on goal
Sarina Olson: 2 shots, 2 shots on goal

Morgan McCutcheon: 10 saves, 0 goals allowed, 90:00 minutes in goal
 
For The Opponents
Hayley Viebrock: 6 shots, 3 shots on goal
Jordan Restivo: 6 shots, 2 shots on goal
 
Carly McCrumb: 3 saves, 1 goal allowed, 90:00 minutes in goal
 
How It Happened
There were two truly pivotal moments in this contest with the first coming in the 52^nd minute. The game was tense and well-contested through the first half and into the second until Bianca Robbins (Johnston, R.I.) got free down the right side and fired a long shot from the top of the 18-yard box. She missed but the ball was deflected by Johnson and Wales goalie Carly McCrumb (Grandville, Mich.) granting the Hawks a corner kick. Sarina Olson (Bristol, R.I.) sent a great ball from the corner into congestion in front of the net where it found Robbins and, in the confusion, she fired a pair of shots. The first was saved by McCrumb but her second attempt snuck past the keeper to give the Hawks the go-ahead score.
 
A few moments later, in the 59^th minute, the Wildcats had a great opportunity to tie the score. There was a loose ball bouncing on the left side of the 18-yard box that Morgan McCutcheon (Danbury, Conn.) aggressively came out to try to corral but in the process, she collided with a Johnson and Wales player. On the 50-50 call, the official called a penalty on McCutcheon, and awarded a penalty kick to Johnson and Wales. McCutcheon protested but was dealt a yellow card for her efforts. However, in the end, she let her play do the talking as Olivia Cairrao (Bristol, R.I.) took the penalty kick and attempted a shot on the low right side. McCutcheon read it correctly and made the diving save to her left to preserve the lead.
 
Earlier in the contest, it was a defensive lovers dream with very few good scoring chances. In the first half, RWU fired two shots with one on goal while the Wildcats had ten shots but were erratic with their attempts, as only four were on net.
 
Outside of the lone score, the second half was much of the same with Johnson and Wales outshooting the Hawks 12 to four but with the Hawks taking higher caliber shots with a trio of shots on goal against six for the hosts.
 
It was a similar story in terms of corner kicks as well, as Johnson and Wales had nine in the game against three for the Hawks, but it was RWU who took advantage of their chances in the win.

Coach's Corner
We were equal to the challenge; we played the way we felt we could to achieve a positive result, and that is what happened. The physicality and speed of their (Johnson and Wales') play has actually strengthened our resolve and made us more of a collective unit, which is what you need if you want to compete with the best teams in the region.
 
The tougher the match, the more we progress and move towards our main goal. We have had injuries; we are slowly returning to full capacity, and we are beginning to understand what it takes to get to the next level. 

We are full of team players who want to see others be successful. The encouragement from our fans and bench on Saturday drove us forward. I have not or did not see any weaknesses in yesterday's contest or the two others, we have depth, when called upon, the next player has stepped up to the task and role that has been assigned to them. 

In the first two games we were able to give experience to everyone that was healthy and introduce them to collegiate sports. If we are going to compete at this level, we must first learn to compete with each other in practice so that we can transfer that to the competition we face on the soccer pitch with whoever is on the schedule. 

We are not a finished product or perfect, but we aim to be the best version of ourselves and grow as the season develops. Considering this was our first road trip, going somewhere familiar and not too far worked for us. It took the pressure away or we were able to control it and we played with confidence that you get starting the two games the way we did.

Winning this tournament and being crowned Rhode Island Champions is a major step forward. Something that will galvanize this squad of players. The ride home was a fun experience. We saw fireworks, played music and were able to look forward to the holiday weekend and the next game.

We have had MVP performances in all three games so far and we hope that continues.
 
What's Next
The Hawks head out of state for the first time this season as they travel to New London, Connecticut for a duel with Connecticut College on Wednesday night. Start time is slated for 7:00 PM.