KINGSTON, R.I– The University of Rhode Island Women's Club Hockey team started their home schedule with a 3-3 draw against the University of Maryland on Friday at Boss Ice Arena. After a back-and-forth contest that went into a five-minute, 3-on-3 overtime period, neither team could find the back of the net to secure the win.
The Rams responded on Saturday, completing the two-game series against Maryland with an aggressive 7-2 win, giving Rhode Island a 1-0-1 start to their season after the first weekend.
On Friday, the Rams dominated possession on the offensive end as they fired in 50 shots on goal during the course of the match compared to Maryland's 24. The home team got off to a hot start taking a 2-0 lead thanks to goals by first-years,
Izzy Bollentino and
Meredith Johnston respectively. Maryland's Katherine Wanner responded with two of her own goals to force the score to 2-2 going into the final stage of the game.
Rhode Island took a 3-2 lead late in the final period, thanks to an energetic goal by fourth-year
Bella Bonfiglio. However, the Terrapins shortly responded in the final minutes of regulation with a goal by Dani Bir, that not only sent the game into overtime, but left the fans at Boss Ice stunned and saddened.
Despite the late equalizer by Bir, Rhode Island head coach Nicole Friesen, was encouraged by how her team played as a group this early in the season.
"I think they were acting like a unit up and down the ice," said Friesen. "You don't usually get that so early in the year."
The Rams' ability to contribute at both ends of the ice was a major positive for Friesen. She pointed to the team's forwards tracking back to support the defense while the defensive line went up to join scoring efforts as a key example of this philosophy.
Bonfiglio, one of Rhode Island's standout players on Friday, not only provided another tally in the Rams scoring column, but an infectious energy that captivated fans at Boss Ice Arena late in the game. The right-winger who is entering her final season with the Rams, said she had been looking forward to opening night ever since she retired her skates last season.
"It feels great," said Bonfiglio. "I've been waiting for this since last season ended. I want to go out with a good ending to my last year and have some fun."
Freisen credited Bonfiglio's passion for hockey as a major part to why she is so effective on the ice. She described the senior as someone who "just loves to get out there" and said Bonfiglio watches a lot of professional hockey and tries to incorporate what she sees into her own play style.
While URI generated numerous scoring opportunities, Maryland's goalkeeper kept the Terrapins in the game. Friesen said they need to adjust for Satf rebounds instead of relying on clean one-time shots.
Despite the Rams draw during Friday's game, their ability to respond on Saturday with a powerful win to take the series assures the team will be in good spirits as they move towards the next competition on their schedule against Liberty University.
By Gordon Billings '27
