Sept. 14, 2002

ANN ARBOR, MICH. - The Providence College field hockey team was defeated, 4-3, by Northwestern on Saturday, September 14 at the BIG EAST/BIG Ten Challenge in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game was tied at 3-3 after the completion of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods. Northwestern took the 4-3 victory during penalty strokes to decide the outcome. Northwestern won the penalty-stroke shoot out, 4-1. Prior to the game, Northwestern had received 21 points in the latetest STX/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll (9/10/02), making them the 26th-ranked team in the nation.

In the first half, Northwestern controlled the game and mounted a 3-0 lead going into halftime. Holly Palin knocked in the first goal for the Wildcats 10:27 into the game on an assist from Suzi Sutton. Candice Cooper put Northwestern ahead, 2-0, on a penalty corner assisted by Michelle Cifelli and Lindsey Millard after 26:35 of play. Just over two minutes later, Palin connected on her second goal of the game (unassisted) to give the Widcats a 3-0 advantage.

In the second half, Providence rallied with a three-goal effort and held Northwestern scoreless, to tie the game (3-3) and send the two teams into overtime. Junior forward Kelly Romanowicz (Shrewsbury, Mass.) started the rally with her second goal of the season in the 49th minute of the game off an assist from senior Jennifer Chin (Norwood, Mass.). Senior sweeper Kara Lukens (Pennsburg, Pa.) scored an unassisted goal at the 53:37 mark in the game to cut the Northwestern lead to 3-2. Senior midfielder Lyndsey Brooks (New Fairfield, Conn.) scored her first goal of the season and tied the game, 3-3, with 4:12 left to play in regulation to force overtime.

After two scoreless 15-minute overtime sessions, Northwestern took the 4-3 victory, with a 4-1 advantage during penalty strokes.

Junior Meaghan Moran (Framingham, Mass.) registered six saves and allowed all three Wildcat goals in 100 minutes of action for Providence. Kelly Augustine made five stops in goal for Northwestern, who improves to 3-2 overall.

Providence (4-3) will face Iowa in the team's second and final game of the BIG EAST/Big Ten Challenge, on Sunday, September 15 at 3:30 p.m. The Friars will host Albany in their home-opener on Friday, September 20 at 3:30 p.m. The game will be played at Hendricken Field on the campus of Providence College.

		        1st	2nd	1OT	2OT	PS		Final
Northwestern (3-2)	3	0	0	0	1	--	4
Providence (4-2)	0	3	0	0	0	--	3


Scoring Summary:
First Half:  NU, Holly Palin (Suzi Sutton), 10:27; NU, Candice Cooper (Michelle Cifelli/Lindsey Millard), 26:35; NU, Holly Palin (unassisted), 29:55.

Second Half:  PC, Kelly Romanowicz (Jennifer Chin), 48:19; PC, Kara Lukens (unassisted), 53:37; PC, Lyndsey Brooks (unassisted), 65:48.

First Overtime:  scoreless.

Second Overtime:  scoreless.

Penalty Strokes:   Northwestern 4, Providence 1


Goalkeeping
PC, Meaghan Moran (6 saves, 3 goals against, 100:00 minutes)
NU, Kelly Augustine (5 saves, 3 goals against, 100:00 minutes)


Shots
Providence - 15, Northwestern - 23

Corners
Providence - 5, Northwestern - 9