KINGSTON, R.I. - Saint Joseph's sophomore Dakota Mills scored twice, including the game-winner with less seven minutes to play, to help the Hawks' women's soccer team top Rhode Island, 3-2, Thursday evening.

Seeing a 2-0 edge erased in the second half, Saint Joseph's (9-1-2, 2-0-1 Atlantic 10) responded late on Mills' team-leading ninth goal of the year. With the ball deep in the Rhode Island end, SJU rookie Brittany Hartwell-Miller worked the ball to senior Shannon Mulvey in the corner. Off a centering pass from Mulvey, Mills connected at the right side of the box and deposited the go-ahead tally at 83:44.

Rhode Island (3-5-3, 0-2-1 A-10) would have one last chance, but the Hawks' freshman goalkeeper Cameron Perrott made a key save to preserve the victory and move to 9-1-2 overall.

Riding a nine-game unbeaten streak into Thursday's match, Saint Joseph's jumped out to the early 1-0 lead as Mills drilled a shot to the right side of the goal that found the back of the net at 4:54.

A misplay by Rhode Island led to an own goal at 29:43 to extend the Hawks' advantage to 2-0.

The Rams answered back in the second half to tie the game at 2-2. Madison Waldron scored the first URI goal from inside the box at 53:48, while Donika Murray notched the equalizer at 62:43 off a rebound.

The Hawks would continue to press from there posting six shots before Mills' game winner.

For the game, Rhode Island finished with a 15-14 edge in shots, while the Hawks held a 3-1 advantage in corner kicks. 

Saint Joseph's returns to action at La Salle on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Follow the Saint Joseph's women's soccer team on Instagram and Twitter and like the Hawks on Facebook.