WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rhode Island (11-3-1) continued their impressive season with a commanding 5-0 victory over George Washington (4-8-3) on Thursday afternoon at the GW Soccer Field. The Rams extended their winning streak to two games while handing the Colonials their second consecutive loss.
Lauren MacDonald opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a low drive to the right corner. Mie Carstensen doubled the lead in the 57th minute off a well-placed assist from McKenna Sylvester. MacDonald struck again in the 81st minute, before Sylvester added her name to the scoresheet in the 87th minute with help from Courtney Poon. Megan Steinbach completed the rout with Rhode Island's fifth goal in the 88th minute.
The first half saw Rhode Island establish control early through precise passing and aggressive pressing. Kaia Rice tested the Colonials' defense with a dangerous shot in the 12th minute, while Lauren MacDonald continued to create problems in the attacking third. George Washington's Alana Beasley and Kathleen Ngulefac managed shots in the 8th minute, but both attempts missed the target. The Rams' defensive unit, anchored by Lily Camacho, effectively neutralized the Colonials' attack.
Rhode Island's dominance intensified in the second half. Claire O'Neill and Megan Steinbach both registered shots in the 80th minute, maintaining constant pressure on the George Washington defense. The Colonials' Kate McGrath received a yellow card in the 51st minute for unsporting behavior, reflecting the growing frustration as Rhode Island continued to control possession and create chances. Lily Camacho was also cautioned in the 76th minute for Rhode Island.
The statistical breakdown heavily favored Rhode Island, who outshot George Washington 19-11, with 8 shots on target compared to the Colonials' 6. The Rams also dominated set pieces, earning 7 corner kicks to George Washington's single corner. Both teams recorded one yellow card in what remained a physically contested match despite the lopsided score.
Individual performances highlighted Rhode Island's depth, with Lauren MacDonald's two-goal effort leading the attack. McKenna Sylvester contributed both a goal and an assist, while Mie Carstensen's presence in midfield helped control the tempo. For George Washington, Kathleen Ngulefac showed glimpses of danger with multiple shot attempts, while Kate McGrath worked tirelessly in midfield despite the difficult afternoon.
Tactically, Rhode Island's high-pressing system proved effective, forcing numerous turnovers in dangerous positions. The Rams' rotation of attackers, including strategic substitutions of Cierra Penny and Nicolasa Jacobs, kept their offensive momentum fresh throughout the match. George Washington struggled to build through the middle, often forced to attempt long balls that were efficiently dealt with by the Rhode Island backline.
The victory reinforces Rhode Island's position as one of the conference's top teams, improving their impressive record to 11-3-1. George Washington's struggles continue as they fall to 4-8-3, highlighting the need for offensive adjustments as they move forward in their campaign.
Looking ahead, Rhode Island will aim to extend their winning streak when they host Saint Louis on Sunday at 1:00 PM. George Washington looks to rebound from this defeat as they travel to face Richmond on Sunday at 4:00 PM, seeking to snap their two-game losing streak.