Two first half goals and solid defense throughout proved to be the right remedy for the St. Bonaventure women's soccer team to get back to its winning ways as it earned a 2-0 shutout victory at Rhode Island in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams on a cool Friday night.

The win snaps a three-game non-conference losing streak that followed the Bonnies into the A-10 play. The Brown and White now stand at 4-6 on the season, while Rhode Island slips to 2-5-1 after having its three-game unbeaten streak halted.

"First of all it's great to get a road conference win against a very spirited and hard-working Rhode Island side," said head coach Manoj Khettry. "I thought we came out with great energy and were able to sustain it for the entire match. We had numerous chances which we should have done better with, but I think a 2-0 results was fair and I'm happy we could get a shutout."

Returning to goal for the first time in five games, junior Nicole Markert turned in a solid performance with six saves en route to her sixth career shutout. The Rams held a 13-10 edge in shots, but the Bonnies put seven of their shots on goal compared to six for the home team.

Junior Courtney Bosse accounted for the first Bonaventure goal, her team-best fourth of the season, at the 14:03 mark in the first half. Bosse took a pass from sophomore defender Kaitlin Krisko down the left side of the field and beat the URI keeper on a breakaway. The game-winning goal is the second of the season for Bosse and her 15th career tally.

It didn't take long for the Brown and White to add an insurance goal, as sophomore Tori Burchett put home a rebound just over two minutes later at the 16:31 mark to make it a 2-0 lead. Burchett gathered the rebound off a saved shot from junior Anna Cunningham and chipped into the back of the net for her third goal of the season.

Cunningham was credited with the assist on Burchett's goal, giving her 18 for her career to move her into a tie for fourth place all-time in the Bona record books. The assist was also the 50th career point of Cunningham's career, making her just the 13th player in program history to accomplish the feat.

The two quick-strike goals proved to be all the offense the Bonnies would need. Markert made four of her six saves in the second half to prevent any kind of Rhode Island comeback.

St. Bonaventure will look to build of its first win in an A-10 opener since 1999 on Sunday when it welcomes Saint Louis to McGraw-Jennings Field for a 1 p.m. kick-off. The Billikens eliminated the Bonnies from the A-10 Tournament last season. "This is a nice win and we'll enjoy it, but it doesn't get any easier with Saint Louis on Sunday. You play one tough battle after another in the A-10."