by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
Friar Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
With only two Big East games left in the schedule, the Providence College Women’s Soccer Team is beginning their playoff push as they sit one game away from the sixth seed, which would allow them to enter the Big East Tournament later in this fall. Part of this playoff push is led by the Friar’s goalie, Shelby Hogan ’20RS.
After falling 1-0 to the No. 1 Georgetown University last Sunday, the Friars focused more on the positives of the game rather than the outcome, and will hopefully use that momentum in their quest for a playoff spot.
In the game, Hogan tallied seven saves and only one goal against her, impressive given that Georgetown has been undefeated all season and is No. 4 on the NCAA Division l Women’s Soccer National rankings.
This season, Hogan has been playing phenomenally, and has much more room to improve as her career and season progress. With a tough schedule this year, no game is a guaranteed win for the Friars. Hogan believes that the Friars cannot overlook any opponent. “Every game is important,” Hogan said, “we have to battle till the end no matter who we are playing.”
Hogan complimented her team and praised them on everything that has gone well this season, including excellent teamwork all-around and the effort each player has put in throughout the season.
This season alone, Hogan is second on the save percentage list of the Big East at 87.2 percent, and has 75 saves total, which is third most in the Big East, averaging five saves per game. On top of this, Hogan has only allowed 11 goals in the whole season, with a 0.71 average of goals against allowed, putting her fourth on the leaderboard in the Big East.
Hogan’s performance has not gone unnoticed this season; she has been named the Big East Goalkeeper of the Week twice, and has given the Friars a chance to win every game they have played, including against teams such as Duke University and the University of North Carolina, who are ranked both 12 and 3 respectfully. She only gave up three goals in those two games.
Not only is Hogan receiving high ranks in goalkeeping, but she has been placed on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll at least five times throughout the season. When asked about the challenge of focusing on game day and keeping up her grades, she stated, “I try to make sure everything is done in advance to make sure on game days I am solely focused on the challenges ahead and making sure I am 100 percent for the team.”
The Friars travel Thursday, October 18 to the 8th seed DePaul University for their last away game of the season. The Friars come back for the Senior Game against the 10th seed Seton Hall University on Sunday afternoon. No matter what stands in the way for the Friars during the rest of the season, Hogan and the Friars will be ready to overcome any obstacles kicked in their way.