Providence, R.I.--Junior midfielder Marissa Ruzzano (Smithfield, R.I.) scored the game winning goal with just under five minutes remaining in the second half as the Rhode Island College women's soccer team won their first Little East match of the season in a 1-0 victory vs. Vermont State University Castleton at Alumni Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Rhode Island College 1, VTSU Castleton 0
Rhode Island College (3-1-1, 1-0 LEC)
VTSU Castleton (1-5, 0-1 LEC)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
• After some low octane offense over the first 25 minutes of the first half, sophomore midfielder Tayshia Cary (Wakefield, R.I.) took a shot that was rolling towards the goal, but was stopped at the last moment by sliding Spartan junior defender Lauren Fotter (Gorham, Maine) before it went into an open net.
 
• That was the only offensive highlight of the first half, as the first 45 minute were defensively focused. Going into halftime, RIC held the lead in shots, 7-4.
 
• Cary took another open space shot in the 85^th minute, but it was blocked by a Spartan defender and resulted in a RIC corner kick.
 
• Sophomore midfielder Olivia Williams (Riverside, R.I.) took the kick and the ball found the head of Ruzzano, who deflected it into the lower left part of the net for what proved to be the game-winning marker.
 
• RIC junior goalkeeper Chloe Angelone (Bayville, N.Y.) recorded her third shutout of the year, making six saves in the win (3-0-1).
 
• Castleton sophomore goalkeeper Emma Ezzo (West Haven, VT) posted three saves in a losing effort (1-4).
 
WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will play at Mount Holyoke College on Monday, Sept. 18 (7 p.m.).