Spiders Conclude Nonconference Play with Draw at Radford, Ferrara Nets Career First

Thursday, September 12

Radford, VA

7 p.m.

University of Richmond

2-3-2, 0-0-0

Radford

5-2-1, 0-0-0

Richmond

Radford

Grace Ferrara dribbling the ball during a home match

Spiders Conclude Nonconference Play with Draw at Radford, Ferrara Nets Career First

09/12/2024 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

RADFORD, Va.  The University of Richmond women's soccer team rounded out nonconference action Thursday night with a 2-2 draw at Radford courtesy of efforts from Grace Ferrara who netted her first career goal, and Kelly Hutton early in the second half. With the result, the Spiders move to 2-3-2 to head into Atlantic 10 Conference play while the Highlanders move to 5-2-1.

Goals
'27 RU: Ava Kertgate (unassisted)
'33 – UR: Grace Ferrara (assisted by Anna Garcia)
'46 – UR: Kelly Hutton (unassisted)
'90 – RU: Eileen Albers (assisted by Lilly Short)

How it Happened
The Spiders were immediately on the offensive front as Emma Roesing picked up a shot in the fourth minute and Brigitte Bussiere followed suit with a look slightly left in the 16^th minute. Kiley Fitzgerald posted the first look on-target for the Spiders in the 21^st minute but was smothered by the Highlander keeper. In the 27^th minute, Radford was able to slot a shot past the Richmond defense and McKenna Dalfonso for a 1-0 advantage. After a shot from Anna Garcia in the 30^th minute, the Spiders were able to capitalize and tie the match at one off a corner kick in the 33^rd minute courtesy of Ferrara. Garcia picked up the assist on the goal. The Highlanders managed to put up two more shots in the half, but the UR defense held strong and ended the first 45 deadlocked.

Right out of the break, Hutton put the Spiders up 2-1 from a loose ball in the RU box in the 46^th minute. After the goal, Radford immediately posted four back-to-back looks but were all off target. Following more offensive pressure from the opposition, Bussiere, Marisa Snee and Garcia were able to collect shots, but weren't able to add onto the Spider lead. The Spiders were able to weather the Highlander offensive threat until the waning seconds, as RU capitalized on a final scramble in the box for the 2-2 draw.

Notes on the Game

The Spiders end the nonconference slate at 2-3-2, including a 2-2 home record and a 0-1-2 road mark.
Ferrara posted her first career goal, first as a Spider, while Hutton posted her second-straight goal over two matches and seventh career goal.
Garcia posted her first career assist.
Bussiere paced the team with three shots, marking a career high, while Snee had the most looks on frame with two.
As a team, the Spiders posted 14 total shots, eight on frame, in addition to three corner kicks.
Dalfonso posted 90 minutes in goal and recorded five saves on the night.
The two Spider goals mark the first time Richmond has posted more than one goal in a match since the 2024 home opener against Longwood on 8/22/24 (W, 2-0).
The all-time record against Radford moves to 1-2-2 in favor of the Highlanders.

Up Next
The Spiders look to open A-10 action on Sept. 19, as the team plays host to Duquesne at 5 p.m. at President's Field. Following the match against the Dukes, the Spiders travel to Dayton on Sept. 22 for a matchup against the Flyers at noon.