The Northeastern women's varsity earned an open-water victory over Rhode Island on Saturday morning on Boston's famed Charles River. The win was the Huskies' eighth on the season.

With the morning sun breaking through the clouds just before the varsity race, and with light winds and relatively calm waters on the Charles River basin, the Huskies varsity continued the momentum it generated a week ago in earning three wins at the Virginia Invitational.

The Varsity 8 wasted little time, opening a half-boat length lead over the visiting Rams in the first 500 meters. The Red and Black increased its margin to a boat-and-a-half by the 1000-meter mark, and to two lengths by 1500m. The Huskies continued to move away from URI over the final 500m of the race, finishing with a time of 7:14.9. Rhode Island completed the course in 7:26.5.

In the 2nd Varsity 8 race, it was URI that began quickly. The Rams grabbed a boat-length lead by 500m and doubled that margin by the midway point. Northeastern attempted a move in the third 500 meters, but URI was able to maintain its lead through the 1500-meter mark and increased the advantage through the finish line. Rhody finished with a time of 7:14.4 to Northeastern's 7:29.9.

In the Varsity 4 race, URI used a strong effort on the backside of the course to pull out what had been a closely contested race. The crews were close to even at the 1000-meter mark, but the Rams moved out to a length lead by the finish. URI crossed the line in 8:19.2, Northeastern A in 8:25.9, and Northeastern B in 8:37.5.

Rhode Island also claimed victory in the morning's final race, the 3rd Varsity 8. The Rams collected a time of 7:57.3 with Northeastern finishing at 8:13.1.

Saturday's race was the final tune-up for the Huskies before next weekend's CAA Championship on the Occoquan Reservoir in Fairfax, Va. The Huskies swept last year's championship regatta to earn their second CAA title in three years.

RESULTS

Varsity 8	Northeastern 7:14.9	Rhode Island 7:26.5
2nd Varsity 8	Rhode Island 7:14.4	Northeastern 7:29.9
Varsity 4	Rhode Island 8:19.2	Northeastern A 8:25.9	Northeastern B 8:37.5
3rd Varsity 8	Rhode Island 7:57.3	Northeastern 8:13.1