Providence College Women's Soccer Defeats BIG EAST Rival Pittsburgh, 1-0

The Friars Defeated The Panthers To Keep Post Postseason Aspirations Alive

Ricciardi Scored The Game Winner

Oct. 23, 2009

Providence, R.I.- The Providence College Women's Soccer team (8-7-3, 3-5-2 BIG EAST) defeated Pittsburgh (7-5-5, 2-3-5 BIG EAST), 1-0, on Friday, October 23 to keep its postseason hopes alive. In order for Providence to get into the BIG EAST Tournament, Connecticut must defeat West Virginia on Friday. Next, Providence would need to defeat West Virginia on Sunday, October 25.

Against the Panthers, the Friars would breakthrough in the 13th minute when Caitlin Hostetler (Portsmouth, R.I.) crossed the ball into the 18-yard box to Jill Camburn (Doylestown, Pa.). Camburn flicked the ball to Tara Ricciardi (Wayne, N.J.) who struck it into the back of the net for her second goal of the season. The goal would end up being the game winner, Ricciardi's second of the season with the other one coming in a 1-0 victory over Sacred Heart on September 20. The assist is Hostetler's first of the season and Camburn's fourth.

In the 46th minute, the Friars almost scored again when Nicole Benko (Valley Stream, N.Y.) crossed the ball into Camburn who headed it just wide left of the net. In the 53rd minute, Ricciardi (Wayne, N.J.) took a rocket shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but missed just wide. She was a scoring threat all day, taking a total of six shots.

Pittsburgh would have its best scoring opportunity of the game with 3:30 remaining. Katelyn Ruhe dribbled the ball into the 18-yard box with only the goalkeeper to beat. Ruhe took a blistering shot, but Providence goalkeeper Jill Schott (Windham, N.H.) came up with the save to preserve the lead. Schott had saves in the match and notched her fourth shutout of the season.

Providence's backline managed to keep the Panthers off the scoreboard and tally the teams fourth shutout victory of the season. Jenna Roncarati (Cumberland, R.I.) anchored the backline, winning every head ball and tackle.

The Friars are back in action on Sunday, October 25, when they host West Virginia at 1:00 p.m., in which there will be a pre-game ceremony to honor the eight Providence seniors.