University of Connecticut Athletics
University of Connecticut
3-2-1, 0-0-0
Rhode Island
5-2-0, 0-0-0
WSOC Beats Rhode Island
9/11/2025 10:22:00 PM | Women's Soccer
KINGSTON, R.I. – The UConn women's soccer team (3-2-1) secured its fourth shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory at Rhode Island (5-2) on Thursday evening at the URI Soccer Complex.
The Huskies tallied their first multi-goal game of the season with a first-half tally from Chioma Okafor and an early second half goal from Abbey Merchant.
Okafor's strike came in the 16th minute on a great cross from Lexi Taylor. It is the second goal of the season for the Blantrye, Malawi native.
UConn had a pair of quality opportunities to double the lead in the late stages of the first half.
Taylor Jenkins nearly headed home a corner kick service from Alayna Taylor but her shot was saved point blank by the Rams keeper.
Abbey Merchant slipped a nice through ball ahead to a streaking Okafor a few minutes later but Okafor's shot missed wide.
Merchant did not miss her scoring opportunity just two minutes into the second half. The senior capped off a great run by Se-Hanna Mars that led to the sophomore's first career assist; with Merchant knocking home her second career goal on the doorstep of goal.
Ava Yamas made a career-high five saves in the shutout effort and extended the Huskies streak to three-straight shutouts and haven't allowed a goal in their last seven halves of play.
Junior Jessica Carr had a milestone game, playing in her first career match as a Husky.
Next up, the Huskies close out the non-conference schedule at home against Maine on Sunday, September 14 at 1 p.m. The match begins a season-long three-match home stand at Morrone Stadium.
Team Stats
Chioma Okafor (2)
Assisted By: Alexandra Taylor
GOAL by UConn Okafor, Chioma Assist by Taylor, Alexandra.
15:04
Abbey Merchant (1)
Assisted By: Se-Hanna Mars
GOAL by UConn Merchant, Abbey Assist by Mars, Se-Hanna.
46:59
