Rice University Athletics
Owls Blank Navy for First Win
8/15/2026 8:37:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ANNAPOLIS – The Rice soccer team earned its first win of the 2026 season in a 3-0 shutout victory at Navy Saturday evening in Annapolis, Md. The Owls bounce back to even their record at 1-1 to start the new season, while Navy is handed its first loss.
How It Happened
The Rice offense attacked early, with Lauren Pickup firing a shot in the opening minutes, but Navy was able to make the save. Just minutes after subbing into the match, Valentina Labuschagne found Eileen Albers, who launched a shot to the back of the net to open the game's scoring in the 26th minute. The Midshipmen looked to answer soon after, but Kirsten Ruf was there to make the save. Rice led 1-0 at the half.
After trading attacks for the opening 25 minutes of the second half, Ruf sailed a ball all the way to the top of the opposite box, where Camille Quarterman raced past the defenders to send the ball past the keeper to double the lead. Not even 10 minutes later, Neerali Kapadia found Pickup to tack on a third goal for the Owls. Ruf and crew shut down the Navy offense for the final nine minutes to secure the shutout win.
Scoring Summary
25:43 – RICE – Goal by Eileen Albers (1), assisted by Valentina Labuschagne
72:51 – RICE – Goal by Camille Quarterman (1), assisted by Kirsten Ruf
81:06 – RICE – Goal by Lauren Pickup (2), assisted by Neerali Kapadia
Quick Hits
Rice outshot Navy 18-12 and 11-4 in shots on goal.
The Owls had a 7-5 corner kick advantage,
Pickup has scored in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
Kapadia, Labuschagne and Ruf all collected their first-career assists.
Albers scored her 19th career goal.
Quarterman scored her fifth career goal.
Ruf secured her first clean sheet of the season and fifth of her career.
She made four saves in goal.
The Owls are 2-0 all-time against Navy.
Up Next
The Owls will be back in Houston on Thursday night for a road game at HCU.
How It Happened
The Rice offense attacked early, with Lauren Pickup firing a shot in the opening minutes, but Navy was able to make the save. Just minutes after subbing into the match, Valentina Labuschagne found Eileen Albers, who launched a shot to the back of the net to open the game's scoring in the 26th minute. The Midshipmen looked to answer soon after, but Kirsten Ruf was there to make the save. Rice led 1-0 at the half.
After trading attacks for the opening 25 minutes of the second half, Ruf sailed a ball all the way to the top of the opposite box, where Camille Quarterman raced past the defenders to send the ball past the keeper to double the lead. Not even 10 minutes later, Neerali Kapadia found Pickup to tack on a third goal for the Owls. Ruf and crew shut down the Navy offense for the final nine minutes to secure the shutout win.
Scoring Summary
25:43 – RICE – Goal by Eileen Albers (1), assisted by Valentina Labuschagne
72:51 – RICE – Goal by Camille Quarterman (1), assisted by Kirsten Ruf
81:06 – RICE – Goal by Lauren Pickup (2), assisted by Neerali Kapadia
Quick Hits
Rice outshot Navy 18-12 and 11-4 in shots on goal.
The Owls had a 7-5 corner kick advantage,
Pickup has scored in back-to-back games for the first time in her career.
Kapadia, Labuschagne and Ruf all collected their first-career assists.
Albers scored her 19th career goal.
Quarterman scored her fifth career goal.
Ruf secured her first clean sheet of the season and fifth of her career.
She made four saves in goal.
The Owls are 2-0 all-time against Navy.
Up Next
The Owls will be back in Houston on Thursday night for a road game at HCU.
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
M/F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
F
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerWednesday, March 09
Saturday, December 04
Thursday, December 02