Sept. 23, 2007

Final Stats

ORONO, Maine - The Providence College field hockey team defeated the University of Maine, 3-2, on Sunday, September 23 at Morse Field in Orono, Maine. Freshman Julie Ruggieri (Barrington, R.I.) scored two of her team's three goals in the first half of play to capture the victory and improve to 6-3 on the year. Maine drops to 4-5 overall with the loss.

The Friars struck first just 3:40 into the game as junior Meghan Holden (Worcester, Mass.) tipped in a goal off a feed from senior Michalagh Stoddard (Norwood, Mass.) during a penalty corner. Stoddard was credited with the assist.

Maine responded with a goal of its own to tie the game just over a minute later (4:49) as Courtney Veinotte tallied off of a pass from Brooke Anderson.

Ruggieri answered for PC with back-to-back goals at 19:13 and 30:31 to give the Friars a 3-1 lead at the half. Ruggieri's first goal came off a feed in front of the cage from sophomore Adrienne Marois (Auburn, Mass.). Senior Abby Maguire (Southbury, Conn.) earned the assist on Ruggieri's second goal of the day, which proved to be the eventual game winner.

The two teams were scoreless in the second half until Maine's Nicole Emery deflected Amy Zdrojesky's initial shot into the cage to get within one goal (3-2). The Friars were able to hold off the Blackbear rally and settle for a 3-2 win.

Sophomore goalkeeper Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) made eight saves in the victory for PC. Rebecca Giroux recorded nine saves for Maine.

Providence (6-3) returns to action on Wednesday, September 26 against Harvard. The game is scheduled to be played at Jordan Field in Cambridge, Mass. At 7:00 p.m.