Nov. 4, 2006

Final Stats

Louisville, Ky. - In the first game of the 2006 BIG EAST Field Hockey tournament, #3 seeded Villanova Wildcats took on the #2 seed Providence Friars at Traeger Stadium at the University of Louisville on Saturday. Providence scored two first half goals and were able to maintain that lead through most of the game and defeat the Wildcats, 4-2.

With the loss, Villanova ends their season at 13-8, while Providence improves to 18-3, and earned a berth in the championship game on Sunday against the winner of #1 Louisville and #4 Connecticut. The loss also drops Villanova's overall record in the conference tournament semifinal game to 4-7. It is also the second time this season that Providence has defeated Villanova, recording a 3-1 win on October 22.

Providence was able to get on the board first on an unassisted goal from Melissa McGow in the ninth minute. The Friars would strike again at the 28:14 mark on another unassisted goal, this time off the stick of Nellie Poulin, to give Providence the 2-0 lead.

But Villanova would respond just three minutes later, at the 31:30 mark. Sam Coveleski (Lewes, Del.) was able to deflect a shot from Stephanie Campbell, for her first goal of the season. For Campbell, who was a member of the All-BIG EAST Second Team, it was her ninth assist of the year.

Providence regained their two goal advantage five minutes into the second half on a goal by Abby Maguire, the third unassisted goal of the game for the Friars. VU would once again have an answer, this time it was Allison Boris (Shavertown, Pa.), who was also a member of the All-BIG EAST Second Team, recording the goal, her 14th goal of the year, cutting the Providence lead to just one, 3-2. First Team All-BIG EAST forward Megan Foster (Berlin, N.J.) picked up the assist on the play after she sent the shot towards the goal, allowing Boris to tip it in.

But Providence, once again, did not allow the Wildcats to pick up any momentum, scoring again less than three minutes later to regain their two goal cushion. This time it was Meghan Holden doing the honors, with Michalagh Stoddard logging the assist.

The Wildcats had a couple opportunities late in the game to add another goal, but BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Rachel Chamberlain was up to the task, not allowing any more goals. She ended up with five saves in the game, while Villanova goalkeeper posted eight saves.

For the game, Providence out-shot the Villanova 13-12, and they also took six penalty corners to the Wildcats four.