2008 Woodie Awards
Friars Rally to Defeat Hartford
John Butler '11
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Sports
The Providence College Women's Soccer Team stood on the threshold of losing to a Hartford team, on the road, on an unfamiliar turf field. It came dangerously close to suffering its second consecutive loss. But in the final five minutes of play, the Friars scored two goals to defeat the Hartford Hawks 2-1 on Thursday, Sept.11.
For the Friars' impressive play thus far, and especially their stellar 4-1-0 record, SoccerBuzz.com named Providence No. 15 in the Northeast Tuesday, a laudable achievement for a team that has worked hard to get where it presently is.
"It was a great result," said Friars Head Coach Jim McGirr of the come-from-behind win. "We've walked off the field before with the 'should have' mentality, but this time we walked off knowing we deserved the win."
The Friars spent the first half adjusting to Hartford's turf field. Though the dynamic was different, the girls in black and white responded with poise and offensive prowess. It was a very even match for the first forty-five minutes, as Providence took six shots in the first period and held Hartford to only three shots.
Hartford managed to break through the Providence iron-wall defense late in the first period and scored a goal off a kick that sailed over the head of sophomore Jill Schott. Schott finished with one save on the day.
It was a different story in the second period, which was marked by a Friar offensive onslaught that had the potential to be a fireworks show, but left the Friars still on the short end of a 1-0 score at the 84 minute mark.
"It was like a mirage of opportunities for us," said McGirr of the Friars' chances in the second period. "We had control of the game, but I give my girls credit because they dug in and worked for a goal."
Indeed, the Friars registered a total of 15 shots on the Hartford goal in the second period, but none found their way between the poles until senior Megan Mancarella tied the game on a corner-kick play in the 85th minute. Senior Christie Gent rocketed a corner-kick into the Hartford box. The resulting header was stopped by Hartford goaltender Lauren Brodeur, but the rebound was recovered by Mancarella who capitalized on the opportunity to tie the game.
For the Friars' impressive play thus far, and especially their stellar 4-1-0 record, SoccerBuzz.com named Providence No. 15 in the Northeast Tuesday, a laudable achievement for a team that has worked hard to get where it presently is.
"It was a great result," said Friars Head Coach Jim McGirr of the come-from-behind win. "We've walked off the field before with the 'should have' mentality, but this time we walked off knowing we deserved the win."
The Friars spent the first half adjusting to Hartford's turf field. Though the dynamic was different, the girls in black and white responded with poise and offensive prowess. It was a very even match for the first forty-five minutes, as Providence took six shots in the first period and held Hartford to only three shots.
Hartford managed to break through the Providence iron-wall defense late in the first period and scored a goal off a kick that sailed over the head of sophomore Jill Schott. Schott finished with one save on the day.
It was a different story in the second period, which was marked by a Friar offensive onslaught that had the potential to be a fireworks show, but left the Friars still on the short end of a 1-0 score at the 84 minute mark.
"It was like a mirage of opportunities for us," said McGirr of the Friars' chances in the second period. "We had control of the game, but I give my girls credit because they dug in and worked for a goal."
Indeed, the Friars registered a total of 15 shots on the Hartford goal in the second period, but none found their way between the poles until senior Megan Mancarella tied the game on a corner-kick play in the 85th minute. Senior Christie Gent rocketed a corner-kick into the Hartford box. The resulting header was stopped by Hartford goaltender Lauren Brodeur, but the rebound was recovered by Mancarella who capitalized on the opportunity to tie the game.
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