University of Richmond
1-0-0, 0-0-0
VMI
0-1-0, 0-0-0
Newman’s Record-Tying Four Goals Power Spiders to Dominant Season-Opening Win Over VMI
08/14/2025 | Women's Soccer
RICHMOND, Va. – Behind a record-tying four-goal performance from freshman Emma Newman, the University of Richmond women's soccer team rolled to a 5-0 victory over VMI in Thursday night's season opener at President's Field. With the win, the Spiders open the season 1-0-0, while the Keydets fall to 0-1-0.
Goals
3' – UR: Emma Newman (unassisted)
8' – UR: Emma Newman (assisted by Brigitte Bussiere)
14' – UR: Emma Newman (unassisted)
62' – UR: Kingsley Hughes (assisted by Emma Newman)
70' – UR: Emma Newman (unassisted)
How it Happened
The Spiders wasted no time setting the tone, as Newman scored her first collegiate goal just over two minutes into the match. The forward then doubled the lead in the eighth minute, finishing a cross from Brigitte Bussiere, and completed her hat trick in the 14th minute with a strike from the top of the box.
In the second half, Newman set up sophomore Kingsley Hughes for her first career goal in the 62nd minute, then capped her historic night with her fourth tally in the 70th minute.
Spider keeper Veronica Rrapi was sharp in her collegiate debut, turning aside eight VMI shots on target to secure her first career shutout. She made key stops in the opening half, denying Mackenzie Hobik from close range in the 10th minute and then smothered a dangerous chance from Riley Boucher in the 58th minute. The Spider backline kept VMI to low-percentage looks, forcing several shots wide or high and blocking others before they reached the net. Richmond controlled play from start to finish, holding a 19-10 advantage in shots and an 8-0 edge in corner kicks.
Notes on the Game
- Emma Newman's four goals tie the program single-game record, joining Brooke Sands (vs Howard, 9/23/97) and Lexi Prillaman (vs JMU, 8/26/17).
- Newman recorded the first Spider hat trick since Prillaman in 2017.
- Richmond's five goals mark the most in a season opener in program history and the program's first 5-0 win since Sept. 11, 2019, at Hampton.
- Veronica Rrapi posted her first career shutout in her collegiate debut.
- Spider debuts: Rrapi, Erika Schneider, Emma Newman, Paige West, Jess Moylan, Ava Milisits, Morgane Zinn, Brooke Wilson, Sophia Jurado, Julia Lishia, and Ellie Bozzo.
- Collegiate debuts: Rrapi, Newman, West, Moylan, Milisits, Zinn, Wilson, Jurado, Lishia, Bozzo.
- Ten players made their first collegiate appearance, accounting for nine of Richmond's 19 shots.
- Richmond is now 2-0-1 in season openers under head coach Adam Denton (third season).
- The series with VMI is now tied 2-2 all-time.
- Richmond outshot VMI 19–10 overall and 13–8 on target.
- The Spiders held 54% possession and completely shut VMI out of corner kicks (8–0 advantage).
From Head Coach Adam Denton, Veronica Rrapi and Emma Newman
By the Numbers
- Emma Newman – 4 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots (7 on goal) in 59 minutes played.
- Kingsley Hughes – 1 goal, 2 shots (1 on goal) in 51 minutes.
- Brigitte Bussiere – 1 assist, 1 shot on goal in 47 minutes.
- Veronica Rrapi – 8 saves in 90 minutes for first career shutout.
- Kiley Fitzgerald – 1 shot on goal in 49 minutes.
- Julia Lishia – 1 shot on goal in 52 minutes.
Up Next
Richmond continues its opening homestand Sunday, Aug. 17, hosting Coastal Carolina at 2 p.m. at President's Field for Senior Day.
Team Stats
Emma Newman (4)
GOAL by RIC Newman, Emma.
02:05
Emma Newman (4)
Assisted By: Brigitte Bussiere
GOAL by RIC Newman, Emma Assist by Bussiere, Brigitte.
07:31
Emma Newman (4)
GOAL by RIC Newman, Emma.
13:30
Kingsley Hughes (1)
Assisted By: Emma Newman
GOAL by RIC Hughes, Kingsley Assist by Newman, Emma.
61:45
Emma Newman (4)
GOAL by RIC Newman, Emma.
69:07
