Oct. 21, 2007

Final Stats

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Providence College field hockey team punched its ticket to the BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship with a 3-0 shut-out victory against Villanova on Sunday, October 21 in Villanova, Pa. Sophomore Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) notched seven saves in goal for Providence to earn her fourth shut-out of the season, and the team's sixth overall. Three different Friars posted goals on the afternoon, while junior Jessica Lane (South Windsor, Conn.) recorded two assists.

PC has earned a spot in the tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1997-98. With the victory over Villanova, the Friars improve to 12-6 overall and 4-1 in the BIG EAST. Villanova is eliminated from the possibility of BIG EAST post-season play and drops to 10-5 overall (3-3 BIG EAST). Providence has one league game remaining on the regular-season schedule against sixth-ranked Connecticut. The game will solidify the BIG EAST Championship seedings, with the winner of the game earning a share of the 2007 BIG EAST Regular-Season title with Louisville (5-1).

In the game versus Villanova, senior Michalagh Stoddard (Norwood, Mass.) gave the Friars a 1-0 lead just 7:55 into the game as she connected on her seventh goal of the year off a direct shot on a penalty corner. Junior Meghan Holden (Worcester, Mass.) and Lane earned assists on the play.

In the 19th minute, sophomore Nellie Poulin (Oakland, Maine) put PC ahead, 2-0, as she tipped in a free hit from the top of the circle, which was taken by Lane. It marked Poulin's seventh goal of the year, and the team-best 15th assist of the year for Lane.

The Friars added an insurance goal in the 29th minute as freshman Julie Ruggieri (Barrington, R.I.) tipped in her team-leading ninth goal of the year off a long pass from sophomore Kerianne Murphy (Walpole, Mass.).

Chamberlain recorded seven saves for PC in the cage, while counterpart Maura McCormick registered 10 saves.

The Friars outshot the Wildcats, 16-15, but held a distinct advantage in shots on goal, 13-7. Villanova finished the game with a 12-7 edge in penalty corners.

Providence (12-6, 4-1 BIG EAST) returns to action on Saturday, October 27 against sixth-ranked Connecticut at 1:00 p.m. The game will be played in Storrs, Conn.