Aug. 29, 2006

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- After opening the 2006 campaign with a 1-1 draw with Holy Cross on Friday, August 25, the Providence College women's soccer team (0-0-1) will host the University of Rhode Island (1-0-0) on Wednesday, August 30 at 4:00 p.m. at PC's Glay Field.

It will mark the 25th all-time meeting between the two rivals with the Friars holding a 16-7-1 advantage in the series. However, the teams have not met since the 2003 season when Providence blanked Rhode Island, 1-0, at Glay Field.

In PC's 1-1 double overtime tie with the Crusaders in Worcester, Providence freshman Nicole Benko (Valley Stream, N.Y.) scored the lone goal for PC to force overtime in the 54th minute, as she collected a loose ball in front of the goal and knocked it in for the score. Providence outshot Holy Cross, 24-14, for the game, including a 7-4 advantage in shots in the two scoreless overtime sessions. The Friars also held the advantage on corner kicks, 10-4, including five corner opportunities in OT. Junior goalkeeper Laura Elfers (Deer Park, N.Y.) played all 110 minutes in net for PC and collected five saves.

The Rams opened the 2006 campaign with a 2-0 shutout over Siena on Sunday, August 27. URI netted two goals in the final five minutes of the contest to post the win over the Saints. Junior Deb Nelson tallied the gamewinner in the 86th minute for Rhody and graduate student Amy Cochran added an insurance goal in the 88th minute to provide the final margin. The Saints were shut down by freshman goalkeeper Danielle van Vierssen who entered the game in the 32nd minute after the starting goalkeeper, freshman Jackie Fede, left the game with an injury.