Sept. 24, 2008

PROVIDENCE COLLEGE (5-3, 0-1 BIG EAST): The Providence College field hockey team begins a three-game home stand on Friday, September 26 when it hosts No. 2 Syracuse University in BIG EAST Conference play at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in Providence, R.I. The game is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. The Friars are coming off of a 2-1, overtime, loss to No. 4 Connecticut on September 19 and enter the game with a 5-3 overall record (0-1 BIG EAST).

Providence is led in scoring by three players who have tallied nine points. Sophomores Julie Ruggieri (Barrington, R.I.) and Ashlyn Hudson (Stoughton, Mass.) each have recorded four goals and one assist, while junior Adrienne Marois (Auburn, Mass.) owns two goals and five assists. Sophomore Jaime Lipski (Dallas, Pa.) and junior Nellie Poulin (Oakland, Maine) check in with eight points and seven points, respectively.

Two-time BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year and 2006 All-America selection Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) has played all 567 minutes in the cage for Providence this season. She has allowed just nine goals and has recorded 29 saves for a 1.11 goals against average and a 0.763 save percentage. Three of her five victories on the season have been shutouts, moving her career total to 15.

Last year, Providence defeated Syracuse, 3-2, at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex en route to a 4-2 record in the BIG EAST Conference. The Friars have posted a 5-1 record in BIG EAST regular-season conference action at the Complex over the course of the past two seasons. The only loss in the span came against Louisville (2-1) on September 30, 2007. Providence is 1-1 all-time vs. the Orange at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex. Since opening their home facility in 2005, the Friars have posted a 19-13 (0.594) overall record, while registering an 8-4 (0.667) mark in night games. The Friars are 2-0 at home this season (1-0 night games).

Upon completion of the Providence vs. Syracuse match-up, the Friars will remain home to host Maine on Sunday, September 28 at 1:00 p.m., followed by a match-up against No. 12 Boston College on Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 p.m.

#2 SYRACUSE (8-0, 1-0 BIG EAST): The Syracuse University field hockey team enters Friday's BIG EAST Conference regular-season game against Providence with a perfect 8-0 record (1-0 BIG EAST) and is ranked No. 2 in the latest NFHCA Division I National Coaches' Poll. Four of the Orange's eight victories on the year have come against nationally-ranked opponents, including three wins vs. programs ranked in the top-10. Syracuse's most impressive victory came on September 13 in the form of a 2-1 defeat of then-No. 1 Maryland. With the exception of the Orange's game vs. Maryland, each of their wins have been decided by two-or-more goals, with the largest margin of victory coming against Colgate (12-0).

Through eight games, the Orange have held the advantage in goals (48-6), shots (180-87), shots on goal (123-43) and penalty corners (62-41).

Five players on the Syracuse roster have eclipsed double-digits in points, led by three Orange team members who have registered 20+ points through the first eight games. Martina Loncarica leads the team with 28 points on eight goals and a team-high 12 assists. Shannon Taylor sits in second place with 26 points on a team-high 10 goals and six assists, while Lindsey Conrad owns 20 points on seven goals and six assists.

The defense also has been a highlight for the Orange, having earned shut-out victories in four of their contests behind the strong goalkeeping play of Heather Hess. In 501 minutes of action, Hess has allowed just six goals and has recorded 36 saves. She enters Friday's game with a 0.24 goals against average and a 0.857 save percentage.

- GO FRIARS! -