Brown Bears Rally Past Rhode Island 3-2 in Thrilling Season Opener Visitors overcome early deficit with clinical finishing as Rams' comeback falls just short in Providence
PROVIDENCE, RI – Brown University opened their 2025 campaign with a statement victory, defeating in-state rival Rhode Island 3-2 in a pulsating encounter that showcased both teams' attacking intent and defensive vulnerabilities.
The Bears dominated the early proceedings at home, establishing a commanding 2-0 lead within the opening 19 minutes through clinical finishing from their attacking players. Defender Naya Cardoza broke the deadlock in the 6th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick opportunity with assists from Ella Weil and Audrey Lam. The goal came from a well-worked set piece that found Cardoza in space to finish with her right foot into the low center of the goal.
Brown's early momentum continued when midfielder Ella Weil doubled the advantage in the 19th minute, converting a precise cross from Joy Okonye with her left foot into the bottom right corner. The Bears' quick start reflected their superior shot accuracy, as they managed eight shots on target compared to Rhode Island's three throughout the match.
Rhode Island responded with characteristic resilience, pulling one back through Mie Carstensen in the 28th minute. The midfielder's header from Kyra Samalonis' assist into the low left corner demonstrated the Rams' ability to create chances from set pieces, capitalizing on their own free kick opportunity to cut the deficit to 2-1 at halftime.
The second half saw Brown reassert their dominance through substitute Ayla Sahin, who made an immediate impact after entering the match. Sahin's 67th-minute strike, assisted by Angelina Vargas, restored the two-goal cushion with a right-footed finish into the bottom left corner that seemed to seal the victory for the Bears.
However, Rhode Island refused to surrender, mounting a spirited late comeback attempt. McKenna Sylvester provided the drama with a spectacular left-footed strike in the 75th minute, finding the top right corner with assistance from Jill Rosenfeld to set up a frantic finale.
The statistical narrative revealed Brown's tactical superiority, as they outshot Rhode Island 14-4 overall while maintaining better possession and creating more dangerous opportunities. The Bears' ability to convert their chances proved decisive, with three goals from eight shots on target demonstrating clinical finishing when it mattered most.
Goalkeeper Dani Eden kept Rhode Island competitive with several crucial saves throughout the match, making six stops to prevent a more lopsided scoreline. Her counterpart Bella Schopp was equally impressive for Brown, making four saves to preserve the victory despite the late pressure.
The match featured intense physicality, with both teams collecting yellow cards – Jill Rosenfeld for Rhode Island and Chesney Robinson for Brown – reflecting the competitive nature of this regional rivalry.
Brown's tactical flexibility was evident in their substitution patterns, with key players like Weil and Sahin making significant impacts both as starters and substitutes. The Bears' depth proved crucial in maintaining their attacking threat throughout the 90 minutes.
For Rhode Island, the defeat highlighted both promise and areas for improvement. Their ability to create scoring opportunities from set pieces and their never-say-die attitude in the final stages suggest potential for growth as the season progresses.
The victory gives Brown early momentum in what promises to be a competitive campaign, while Rhode Island will look to bounce back quickly from this narrow defeat in their season opener.
Key Players
- Ella Weil (Brown University) - Scored crucial second goal and provided assist for opener, completing 3 shots with 1 on target while playing 61 minutes
- Mie Carstensen (Rhode Island) - Scored vital first-half header to keep Rams in contention, playing 84 minutes in midfield role
- Ayla Sahin (Brown University) - Made decisive impact as substitute with 67th-minute goal, registering 3 shots total in 69 minutes