Fitzgerald’s Early Goal Pushes Spiders Past ECU Thursday Evening

Thursday, August 21

Richmond, Va.

5 p.m.

University of Richmond

2-1-0, 0-0-0

ECU

0-2-1, 0-0-0

East Carolina

Richmond

Fitzgerald’s Early Goal Pushes Spiders Past ECU Thursday Evening

08/21/2025 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond women's soccer team struck early and held up defensively in the second half to secure a 1-0 victory over East Carolina Thursday evening at President's Field. The win moved the Spiders to 2-1 on the season while the Pirates fell to 0-2-1.

Goal:
8' – RIC: Kiley Fitzgerald (assisted by Paige West and Emma Newman)

How it Happened
Kiley Fitzgerald found the opening goal and finished a well-worked play in the eighth minute. Newman's pass slipped into the box for West, who redirected the ball down to Fitzgerald for the strike. The goal was Fitzgerald's fourth career tally and her second game-winner.

The Spiders managed five first-half shots and leaned on their defense the rest of the way. ECU generated 12 total attempts, including seven after halftime, but Spider keeper Veronica Rrapi came up with five saves to notch her second shutout of the year.

Richmond's back line, anchored by junior captain Gwen Howell, turned away multiple late chances as the Pirates pressed forward in search of an equalizer. The Spiders conceded six total corner kicks, but stood tall in their defensive third to preserve the 1-0 shutout.

Notes on the Game

Richmond improved to 2-1-0 on the season.
The Spiders move to 6-2-1 all-time against ECU and 3-2 when playing in Richmond.
Fitzgerald scored her fourth career goal and second career game-winner.
Newman tallied her second assist of the season while West posted her first career assist.
Rrapi posted five saves for her second shutout in three appearances.
ECU outshot Richmond 12-8 and held a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.

Three yellow cards were issued to the Spiders during the game, Morgane Zinn with her second yellow card of the season in the 56^th minute, Kingsley Hughes in the 71^st minute and Marisa Snee in the 79^th minute.

From Head Coach Adam Denton, Kiley Fitzgerald and Veronica Rrapi

Up Next
The Spiders hit the road on Sunday, Aug. 24, with a 2 p.m. matchup at Wofford before returning home to play host to Radford on Aug. 28 at 5 p.m.