'Cats Defeat Rhode Island, 1-0, for First Win of Season

Photo by: Jack Garver

Zeepvat records second straight shutout

DURHAM, N.H. – Senior goalkeeper Sonja Zeepvat (Mendham, N.J.) recorded her second consecutive shutout with three saves as the University of New Hampshire women's soccer team earned its first win of the season, 1-0, over Rhode Island on Thursday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The Wildcats improve to 1-1-2, while the Rams fall to 1-3-1.

UP NEXT: 

• UNH travels to Northeastern on Sunday, Aug. 30, for a 1 p.m. match that will be streamed on FloCollege.

Score: New Hampshire 1, Rhode Island 0  
Records: UNH (1-1-2, 0-0-0 America East); URI (1-3-1, 0-0-0 Atlantic 10)   
Location: Durham, N.H. (Wildcat Stadium)  
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026  
Attendance: 114

BOXSCORE


HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• The Wildcats struck quickly, taking a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds after the kickoff. Senior midfielder Elizabeth Finn (Scituate, Mass.) made a strong run down the right side and sent a pass into the middle of the box, where senior captain Jules Vano (Yorktown, N.Y.) forced a Rhode Island defender to inadvertently redirect the ball into the net for an own goal.

• UNH generated three shots on goal in the opening half, while URI recorded one.
• Zeepvat preserved the lead in the 46th minute, diving to push a shot from Megan Steinbach over the crossbar.
• The Wildcats' defense remained strong throughout the second half, securing the team's second consecutive clean sheet.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

• Rhode Island held a 14-5 advantage in total shots.
• Both teams registered three shots on goal.
• The Rams earned eight corner kicks, while the Wildcats finished with four.
• Zeepvat made three saves en route to her second shutout of the season and the fourth of her career.

GO CATS TRAVEL:

• Making the trip to cheer on the Wildcats? Book your hotel at GoCatsTravel.com — you'll get the same rate as Expedia or Booking.com, and 50% of proceeds goes straight back to UNH Athletics.