Hartford, CT – The Roger Williams University Women's Soccer team opened its 2026 season in impressive fashion Tuesday afternoon, rolling past the University of Saint Joseph (Conn.), 7-0, at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Conn. The Hawks, coming off a 10-3-6 record in 2025 that included a 5-1-4 mark in Conference of New England play, controlled the match from start to finish to secure their first regular-season victory of the new campaign.
Roger Williams was led offensively by first-year midfielder Madelyn Riebold (Deep River, Conn.), who scored twice in the second half to pace the Hawks' seven-goal attack. Riebold finished with five shots, including four on goal, while six different Hawks found the back of the net. Senior captain and forward Mya D'Antonio (Marshfield, Mass.) added a goal and an assist, while sophomore forward Logan DiFatta (Simsbury, Conn.) and senior midfielder Beth Yucius (Duxbury, Mass.) each contributed a goal and an assist. Sophomore midfielder Camryn Dickinson (Quaker Hill, Conn.) and sophomore forward Leah Costa (Woodstock, Conn.) also found the back of the net.
Hawks Strike Early
Roger Williams came out firing in the opening minutes, putting pressure on the Saint Joseph defense with several early shots and corner kicks.
The Hawks broke through at 7:28, when DiFatta opened the scoring for Roger Williams with her first goal of the season. Yucius set up the goal with an assist, giving the Hawks an early 1-0 advantage.
Roger Williams continued to dictate the pace and doubled its lead in the 22nd minute. At 21:27, D'Antonio found the back of the net for her first goal of the season, with senior Casey Donnelly (Norwalk, Conn.) providing the assist.
The Hawks kept the pressure on and added another goal before halftime. At 30:49, Dickinson scored her first goal of the season to push the Roger Williams advantage to 3-0.
Roger Williams continued to generate opportunities throughout the remainder of the half, including multiple shots from Costa and Riebold, before taking its three-goal advantage into the break. The Hawks outshot Saint Joseph 18-1 in the opening 45 minutes.
Second-Half Surge
The Hawks picked up right where they left off after halftime.
At 51:59, Yucius added her first goal of the season, finishing off a pass from D'Antonio to extend the Roger Williams lead to 4-0.
Less than five minutes later, Costa joined the scoring party. At 56:55, the sophomore forward scored her first goal of the campaign, making it a 5-0 contest. Costa was particularly active offensively, finishing the afternoon with six shots and five shots on goal.
Riebold then took over.
At 63:58, Riebold recorded her first collegiate goal, converting a pass from DiFatta to push the Hawks' lead to 6-0.
Just 3:19 later, Riebold struck again. At 67:17, she scored her second goal of the afternoon, this time off an assist from Costa, completing the seven-goal scoring barrage and giving Roger Williams a commanding 7-0 advantage.
The Hawks continued to create chances during the final 20-plus minutes, including two additional shots from Riebold in the closing minutes. Her final attempt with just one second remaining in regulation hit the crossbar, but Roger Williams ultimately secured the shutout victory.
Hawks Dominate Stat Sheet
Roger Williams controlled virtually every statistical category, finishing the afternoon with a 30-1 advantage in shots and a 20-3 edge in corner kicks. The Hawks put 19 of their 30 shots on target, while Saint Joseph managed just one shot on goal.
D'Antonio finished with five shots and three shots on goal, while Yucius recorded three shots and two shots on goal. DiFatta added two shots, including one on goal, while Dickinson registered one shot and scored on her lone attempt.
Defensively, senior goalkeeper Ava Boenig (Norwich, Conn.) played all 90 minutes and recorded one save en route to her first shutout of the season. Saint Joseph goalkeeper Madison Corcoran was forced to make 12 saves as the Hawks kept the pressure on throughout the contest.
With seven goals coming from six different scorers, the Hawks showcased their offensive depth in their first contest of the 2026 season.
What's Next?
The Hawks will return home on Thursday, September 3, for their 2026 home opener against Regis College. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Bayside Field, as Roger Williams looks to make it two straight victories to begin the season.
