Fordham University fell to the University of Rhode Island last Sunday in the battle of the Rams on Senior Night. After a scoreless first half, URI sophomore forward Lauren MacDonald found freshman midfielder Kaia Rice for a header at the back post to put the Rams from Rhode Island on top, 1-0. MacDonald got a goal of her own in the 67th minute after she received a through ball from senior teammate Tierra Garniss, slotting it home for her fifth goal of the season. The match finished 2-0 as Rhode Island’s freshman goalkeeper Chelsea Mohammed tallied five saves to complete her first shutout of the year. With the loss, Fordham moved to 8-3-3 (3-1-2 conf.) on the season, good enough for fifth in the A-10, although they have played an extra match.
Despite the loss, the match provided an opportunity to honor the contributions of seniors Abby Doyle, Carmen Hardwick, Ryann Lucas, Tristan McFarlane, Fernanda Serna and Madison Soucey, and graduate student Abby Borchers.
Doyle transferred to Fordham from the United States Military Academy in 2021. She immediately made an impact, earning team MVP honors for her contributions and starting all 17 games in 2022. She was named tri-captain for the 2023 season, playing in 14 contests and notching a goal and an assist. In her final season, she was named co-captain alongside junior teammate Ella Guth.
Hardwick started off her Fordham career with some bad luck. She missed the entire 2021 season due to injury. Hardwick returned determined, making significant goal contributions throughout her time with the Rams. Off the field, she earned a spot on the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in all three seasons.
Lucas transferred to Fordham from St. Mary’s College in California. She instantly made an impact with her 2022 campaign and was selected to the A-10 All-Rookie Team. Lucas made 15 appearances in 2023 before stepping into a tri-captain role in 2024 when her teammate, Doyle, fell injured.
McFarlane transferred to the Rams from the University of Hartford in 2022. She made an immediate impact during the 2022 season, starting all 17 games. In 2023, she was named to the CSC Academic All-District list and started 15 out of 16 matches. In 2024, McFarlane was asked to move into a defensive role following Doyle’s injury, and she has shown immense dedication, helping the Rams in their so-far successful season.
Serna has been a staple in Fordham’s midfield since she joined in 2021. During her time in the Bronx, she has played a total of 2,067 minutes, registering three career assists and a goal. Serna has played in 12 matches so far in 2024, continuing her legacy of dependability and drive.
Soucey joined the program alongside Serna and Hardwick in the 2021 season, making five starts and earning a spot on the A-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll, an achievement she’s maintained since. In the 2023 season, she recorded a career-high 800 minutes for the Rams, providing valuable midfield play. So far this season, she’s helped the Rams in six matches.
Borchers joined the squad this year as a transfer from the University of California, Berkeley, where she played over 50 games for the Golden Bears. Her time out west included a birth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. This year, she served as a leader of her fellow forwards while registering four goals and two assists on 14 appearances.
The program will surely miss these seniors greatly, but they still have work to do as Fordham has officially clinched an A-10 playoff berth.
