Gorham, Maine--Sophomore midfielder
Sarah Pimentel (Cranston, R.I.) scored twice, which included the game-winner, as No. 5-seeded Rhode Island College defeated No. 4-seeded Southern Maine, 3-2, in quarterfinal action of the 2026 Little East Women's Soccer Championship at Hannaford Field on Saturday afternoon.
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THE BASICS
No. 5 Rhode Island College 3, No. 4 Southern Maine 2
Rhode Island College (9-6-3)
Southern Maine (8-11-2)
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HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Huskies scored first to take a 1-0 advantage in the 16th minute. A red card would be dealt to the host's goalkeeper for a challenge in the box, which gave way to a penalty kick goal from sophomore midfielder
Sarah Pimentel (Cranston, R.I.) to equalize the contest at one apiece.
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• Senior forward
Amber Almeida (Sturbridge, Mass.) recorded her first goal of the season, a crucial one, which came in the 31st minute and put the visitors ahead, 2-1.
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• Just under two minutes later, Pimentel banged home her second marker of the day during a scrum in the box to give RIC a two-goal, 3-1, lead going into halftime.
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• The tables were evened at 10-aside in the 66th minute after the Anchorwomen committed a costly foul and earned themselves a red card.
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• The hosts tried to fight back with a goal in the 75th minute, which cut their deficit down to one, but RIC held on for its first conference tournament victory in 19 years. RIC last won in the LEC Championship with a 3-2 victory over Plymouth State on Oct. 30, 2007.
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• Senior goalkeeper
Nicole Nunes (Smithfield, R.I.) stopped four shots and secured the win (9-6-3).
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WHAT'S NEXT
In upcoming action, No. 5-seeded Rhode Island College will travel to No. 1-seeded Eastern Connecticut for a 2026 Little East Women's Soccer Championship semifinal game on Wednesday, Nov. 4 (5 p.m.).
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