Sept. 26, 2007

Final Stats

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Providence College field hockey team defeated Harvard, 3-1, in non-conference action on Wednesday, September 26 at Jordan Field in Cambridge, Mass. It marks the third-straight win over Harvard for the Friars and the team improves to 7-3 on the season. Harvard drops to 5-3 with the loss.

Friar sophomore Nellie Poulin (Oakland, Maine) gave Providence a 1-0 lead as she connected on her fourth goal of the year just 1:05 into the game. Poulin picked up a loose ball in front of the cage and scored, unassisted. Harvard responded with a goal on a penalty corner at the 23:10 mark to tie the game 1-1. Francine Polet tallied the goal off of a direct shot, assisted by Jana Berglund and Kristin Bannon.

The Friars put the pressure on in the final minute and 30 seconds of play in the opening half and were awarded two penalty corners. Freshman Julie Ruggieri (Barrington, R.I.) gave Providence a 2-1 advantage as she tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the year on the second penalty corner with just 34 seconds remaining on the clock. Ruggieri deflected in an initial shot taken by senior defender Michalagh Stoddard (Norwood, Mass.). Stoddard was credited with the assist.

In the second half, Ruggieri tacked on an insurance goal - her seventh of the year - with 4:19 remaining in the game to give PC a 3-1 lead. Ruggieri's goal was assisted by junior Jessica Lane (South Windsor, Conn.). Lane has recorded a team-best seven assists on the season, which also marks a single-season career high for the midfielder.

Sophomore Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) played the first 35 minutes in goal for Providence. She allowed one goal and recorded one save. Graduate student Kim Vesling (Pittsford, N.Y.) entered the game at halftime for the Friars and did not allow a goal in 35 minutes of action. Harvard's Stone made six saves in the loss and allowed all three goals in 70 minutes of action.

The Friars return to action on Sunday, September 30 against 16th ranked Louisville as part of BIG EAST Conference regular-season play. The game begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Friar Field Hockey & Lacrosse Complex in Providence, R.I. The game will be televised via tape delay at 8:30 p.m. on Cox Sports Television (Cox Channel 3).