Oct. 22, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College field hockey player Jessica Lane (South Windsor, Conn.) was named BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, October 23. Lane earned the honor for her performance in two Friar victories last week over conference rivals Rutgers (2-1) and Villanova (3-0). Senior defender Michalagh Stoddard (Norwood, Mass.) was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll.

For the week, Lane recorded one goal and three assists for five points. She scored the game-winning goal to defeat Rutgers on October 19 in the 41st minute of play. It marked her first goal of the season. Lane also added an assist to help PC tie the game, 1-1, after the Scarlet Knights took an early one-goal lead. On October 21, Lane notched two assists against Villanova. PC limited RU to just eight shots, only two of which came in the second half. Against VU, Lane was instrumental in keeping the Wildcats off the board, as Villanova tallied 10 shots and seven penalty corners in the second half.

To date, Lane owns 17 points on one goal and a team-best 15 assists. Eleven of her 17 points have come against BIG EAST Conference opponents (one goal/nine assists). She currently ranks 15th all-time at Providence in career assists.

Stoddard, a defender, scored a goal in each of PC's victories last week to spark the offense. She scored the Friars' goal to tie the game, 1-1, in a 2-1 victory over Rutgers on October 19. She followed with what proved to be the game-winning goal against Villanova on October 21. Stoddard is second on the team in scoring this season with 20 points on seven goals and six assists.

The Friars are currently 12-6 this season, including a 4-1 mark in the BIG EAST Conference. Providence clinched a spot in the BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship with its two recent victories over Rutgers (2-1) and Villanova (3-0). The Friars will face sixth-ranked Connecticut in the BIG EAST season finale on Saturday, October 27 with a share of the leauge's regular-season title on the line. Louisville already has secured a share of the title with a final record of 5-1 in conference play. The BIG EAST Field Hockey Championship is slated for November 3-4 at J.S. Coyne Field on the campus of Syracuse University in Syracuse, N.Y.

- GO FRIARS! -