Oct. 4, 2007

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-- With two home matches this weekend, the Providence College women's soccer team hopes to rebound from a tough injury-riddled season thus far. The Friars have been led by senior goalkeeper Laura Elfers (Deer Park, N.Y.) who has posted nine saves in her past two games. She is tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with 45 saves on the season.

The Friars have had strong play on the defensive front from senior Lauren Vecchione (Sudbury, Mass.) and juniors Megan Mancarella (Rochester, N.Y.) and Christie Gent (Plantation, Fla.). Mancarella, who also serves as one of the team's three captains, has scored one goal this season. Gent has been the Friars' main corner kick specialist and has two assists on the season. Sophomore Katelin Blaine (Warwick, N.Y.) has taken six shots from her defensive position as well.

The Friars' midfield has been a strong point this season. Led by senior captain Danielle Wieneke (Plattsbugh, N.Y.) and sophomore Nicole Benko (Valley Stream, N.Y.), PC has had consistent play at this position all season. Benko leads the team in shots with 17 while Wieneke has 11 shots this year.

Up front, junior Victoria Neff (Fairfield, Conn.) has led the Friar charge on net. Neff has started all 10 games for PC and has nine shots this season.

The Seton Hall Pirates invade Friartown this weekend with a 5-3-2 record. The Pirates are led by goalkeeper Amanda Becker who has a 0.25 goals against average which has put her in the top 10 in the country. Freshman Nikki Gross leads Seton Hall in scoring with four goals on 19 shots this season. Alli Donofrio and Ashley Reinecke both have three goals for the Pirates this year. Seton Hall is coming off a 0-1-1 weekend in which they lost to Georgetown on Friday, September 28th by a score of 1-0. On Sunday, September 20th the Pirates tied Villanova 1-1.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights also visit PC this weekend. The Scarlet Knights are 6-4-1 in their 2007 campaign. Rutgers is led by Gina Demaio who has four goals and one assist this season. Goalkeeper Erin Guthrie has played well for RU this season. Guthrie has posted a 1.23 goals against average and has made 26 saves. The Scarlet Knights are coming off a stretch where they have played three games since September 28th. Rutgers first played at Villanova on the 28th and tied 0-0. Two days later on September 30th, Georgetown visited Piscataway and the Scarlet Knights prevailed 2-1. On October 2nd, Rutgers traveled to in-state rival Princeton. The Tigers defeated the Scarlet Knights by a score of 5-1.

Providence will play Seton Hall on Friday, October 5th at 3:00 at Glay Field. Rutgers will visit PC on Sunday, October 7th at 1:00.