Tag: Friar Sports
Field Hockey Season Comes to an End
by The Cowl Editor on November 8, 2018
Sports
Liberty Flames Too Much for Friars to Handle
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
This past weekend, the Providence College Field Hockey season came to an end in Lynchburg, Virginia as the Friars fell to Liberty University 0-4 in the Big East Semi-Finals. This marked the second straight 0-4 loss to Liberty, as the first came on Oct. 26 to wrap up the regular season.
Despite the disappointing defeat, the Friars still had a tremendously successful season. The 11-8 Friars finished their season as the third ranked team in the Big East, earning them their 19th Big East Tournament berth in program history.
Starting off the season with an 0-3 record on their West coast trip to the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Davis, and the University of the Pacific, the Friars needed a strong second half to have a shot at the tournament.
The Friars’ leading scorer, Allyson Parker ’20 touched on their slow start by saying, “We started the season on the road with three games in California. Losing all three of those games was not necessarily the start we wanted.”
However, the Friars battled back by taking victories in 11 out of their final 15 regular season games. “Coming out of that weekend could have gone two ways: we could have accepted a losing season or we could do something to turn it around.” Parker continued, “We decided that we were not going to dwell on those losses and treat each game as a brand new one.” That mentality certainly proved to be successful after the Friars quickly got their season back on track.
As the Friars finished the season with a 4-3 conference record, their Big East berth was well deserved as three of those victories were settled in overtime. The most dramatic victory came on Oct. 19 in Washington, D.C. against Georgetown University. After 90 minutes of regulation and two scoreless overtimes, a shootout was necessary to decide a victor. Maddie Babineau ’21, Amanda Collins ’22, and Mary O’Reilly ’20, who scored the Friars’ lone goal in regulation, each converted on their shootout attempts. Goalkeeper Lydia Rice ’19 denied all three Georgetown attempts and lifted the Friars to a 2-1 shootout victory. This essential win was the final of the Friars’ season, which clinched them a Big East Tournament appearance.
Parker was positive in her overall outlook on this past season as she added, “The biggest positive takeaway from the season would have to be how strongly each team member embodied our culture.” The Friars adapted a culture where leadership and cohesion were the main focal points. Parker explained, “at the beginning of preseason we took part in a military style training called ‘The Program’ with the mission being to create better leaders and more cohesive teams. [We] took the lessons [we] learned and applied them throughout the rest of the season.”
Parker will be returning next season and continuing her large role on offense, and she is looking forward to another successful season. She concluded, “I have a good feeling about next season. The spring is crucial for us in preparing for next season and I feel confident that our team is focused and determined heading into it.”
Look for Parker and the Friars to have another successful season next fall where they will aim to reach the Big East Tournament yet again and return to Friartown with the trophy.
Women’s Soccer Falls to Butler Once Again
by The Cowl Editor on November 8, 2018
Sports
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
Last week, the Providence College Women’s Soccer Team fell in the Big East Semifinals to the Butler University Bulldogs. This is the second year in a row that the Friars have made the semifinals and dropped both games to the Bulldogs. However, this time around the Friars fared better at Indianapolis.
The Friars were defeated 0-3 last year and showed resilience in this year’s matchup. The Friars trailed 0-2 at halftime after two quick goals scored by the Bulldogs in the 19th and 35th minute. The Friars did not give in, as Camille Murphy ’21 put the Friars on the board and gave them some life. Butler once more extended their lead with a goal in the 79th minute.
Once again, the Friars showed perserverance with a goal by Amber Birchwell ’21 in the 87th minute. The Friars were unable to mount a comeback, but they continue to progress towards the ultimate goal of a Big East championship in future seasons.
It is safe to say that the Butler-Providence rivalry is just getting started in 2018. The Friars have been defeated by the Bulldogs in their last three playoff matchups. The Friars continue to get better and develop their up-and-coming talent. It starts with the top two goal scorers on the team in Hannah McNulty ’21 and Birchwell. Both combined to score 16 of the 26 goals that the Friars recorded this season. McNulty was 3rd in the Big East with 10 goals.
The Friars were led by their defensive back line that was one of the best in the Big East. They only allowed 16 goals this year, second in the Big East only behind the likes of Georgetown University who allowed seven goals. The Hoyas were the second best in the NCAA in goals allowed which is one of the reasons why they earned the number four national ranking and number one seed in the NCAA Tournament.
A valuable piece for the future is goaltender Shelby Hogan ’21RS. Hogan, who was third in the Big East with a .77 Goals Allowed per game, also recorded 10 shutouts, second in Big East. Due to Hogan’s performance in the Big East tournament, along with Birchwell, both earned Big East All-Tournament team honors.
Another reason the future looks bright for PC is continued success from the coaching staff. Since his arrival at PC in 2014, Head Coach Sam Lopes has lead the Friars to five Big East postseason berths, along with five winning seasons including four straight seasons recording double-digit wins.
With talent and experience coming back to the team next year, expect the Friars to be in contention once again as they look to pursue a Big East title and a place in the NCAA tournament.
Men’s Basketball Reloads and Retools
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2018
Sports
Friars Ready To Pick Up Where They Left Off
By Cam Smith ’21
Sports Staff
It’s been 244 long and arduous days since the Dunkin’ Donuts Center was last filled with the raucous chants and thunderous applause associated with college basketball. Luckily, for Friar Fanatics everywhere, the approach of Nov. 6 means that the Dunk will soon be electrified again. The noise will begin when the Providence College Men’s Basketball Team takes on Siena College next Tuesday on opening night of their 2018-19 NCAA season.
Last year was a resounding success for the Friars as they defeated both the number one seeded Villanova University Wildcats and the number five seeded Xavier University Musketeers in regular season play. The team advanced all the way to the finals of the Big East tournament, eliminating Xavier along the way before coming up short to Villanova in the final. Despite the outcome, PC punched their ticket to their fifth straight NCAA tournament.
Three key seniors from last season’s successful team have moved on from Friartown: Kyron Cartwright ‘18, Rodney Bullock ‘18, and the sweet-shooting Jalen Lindsey ‘18. With the significant loss of veteran leadership, PC will look to forge a new identity with a host of both familiar and new faces. One player who Providence will look to to take a leading role on the team is Alpha Diallo ’20.
Diallo made a huge leap in his second year with the Friars, going from scoring 5.7 points as a freshman to 13.2 points as a sophomore. His impact was felt on both sides of the ball as a talented slasher and pesky defender, and he also threw together a slew of magnificent performances in the Big East tournament. The 6’7” guard from New York, New York will look to continue his upward trend as the focal point of the PC offense. Diallo has already seen himself named to the 2018 preseason All-Big East First Team.
Diallo is far from alone in his quest to lead the Friars to their sixth straight NCAA tournament appearance. The roster boasts a surplus of talent and versatility, as 12 of the 13 players are listed as either guards or forwards. The lone center on the team, Nate Watson ’21, will look to continue the improvements he made as a scorer in the paint as last season progressed, and should be positioned for statistical improvements across the board.
The return of forward Emmitt Holt ’19 is also a major headline for the Friars, as Holt was the second leading scorer on the 2016-17 team before redshirting last year due to injury. Holt finished in the 87th percentile nationally in offensive efficiency two seasons ago; adding his versatility as a scorer will greatly benefit an offense that at some points last season lacked a go-to scorer.
Isaiah Jackson ’19RS, along with Kalif Young ’20, Maliek White ’20, and Drew Edwards ’20RS will also all have opportunities to bring leadership to a young squad. Each could potentially find themselves in the starting lineup at some point this season, as head coach Ed Cooley has fiddled with various lineups throughout the preseason. Jackson’s experience and solid three-point shooting (36 percent) likely gives him the edge to lead the foursome in minutes played.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the 2018-19 team is the addition of two top-50 recruits in guards David Duke ’22 and A.J. Reeves ’22. Providence native Duke is a talented ballhandler and playmaker who excels at creating his own shot. His AAU-teammate and fellow New Englander, Reeves, possesses a beautiful stroke and has great off-ball movement that is a perfect match with the playmaking ability of Duke. The two have the potential to become part of a prolific scoring backcourt that could ignite the Dunk for years to come.
The Friars capped off their preseason schedule on Saturday, October 27, where they defeated the Bowie State University Bulldogs 83-55. Watson led the team in scoring with 14 points, while four other Friars also achieved double-digit point totals. The evenly distributed scoring likely foreshadows things to come, as the Friars are a deep team with seemingly unlimited potential.
PC Swim Has High Expectations
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2018
Sports
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
Fresh off their first home meet of the season two weeks ago against the Bryant Bulldogs, the Providence College Men’s and Women’s Swim Team looks to learn from that meet and use it as a building block for the rest of season. Their sights are set on the Big East Championship in February.
Although the Friars fell to Bryant, they were able to show their improvement. It was a much improved result from last year’s meet for the men’s side against this same Bryant squad which may be a theme that will be mirrored throughout the rest of the Friars season. Jerod Magazine ’19 believes that “this may be the best group we have had in my four years…chemistry is great, guys pushing each other in the pool…great leadership, and a really good freshman class.” A few standout freshmen that Magazine mentioned were Justin Viotto ‘22, Matt Keane ‘22, Matt Michaels ‘22, and Ian McElrath ‘22.
A number of these freshmen have already contributed for the Friars early on in their college swimming careers. Viotto took home two first-place finishes in the 400 and 800-meter freestyle with the times of 4:12.58 and 8:41.06. John Freeman ’21 and McElrath churned out 1-2 finishes in the 200-meter freestyle with times of 1:57.62 and 1:59.62, respectively.
The Friars were able to finish the day strong with a first place finish in the 200-meter freestyle relay with a time of 1:39.06. The relay consisted of Mark McLaughlin ’21, Viotto, Freeman, and Patrick Brannigan ’20.
With positive results from both underclassmen and upperclassmen, Magazine hopes that the Friars can continue to shatter records and also take back the Harold Anderson Invitational, a meet that the Friars men’s team won three of the last four years. With veteran talent and leadership from captain Liam Straker ’19 and star breaststroker Ryan Trammell ’19, the Friars will look to do some damage throughout the rest of this season and into Big East.
Women’s swimming and diving is also in a very similar spot as well with senior leadership leading the way for the Friars. Molly Kavanaugh ’21 believes that it all starts with the seniors and trickles down to the underclassmen. “Madeline (Snow ‘19) and other seniors really show us how to act in and out of the pool. There is a great respect between both upperclassmen and underclassmen…. [A respect] between all grades, especially from the seniors down to the freshmen.” Kavanaugh went on to mention how Snow is one of the presidents of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) along with men’s swimmer Magazine.
The Swimming & Diving program was also recognized as being a Scholar All-American team. The women’s team had the highest GPA last semester in program and school history with a 3.60 average.
The team has also seen strong performances in the pool with this last meet, where a 200-meter relay team consisting of Jennie Bankes ’22, Katie Thornton ’21, Margie Keenan ’21, and Lauren Zawacki ’21 broke the 21-year old school record with a blitzing time of 1:50.60.
Bankes, a freshman from Broxton, Massachusetts, has been praised for her performance in the pool so far and is somebody to keep an eye on as this season progresses. Kavanaugh stated “We could see some pretty good things from her this season,” where some records will continue to be shattered. Men’s and Women’s Swim will be at Iona College at 5 p.m. this Friday and Fairfield at 1 p.m. this Saturday!
Women’s Basketball Looks To Turn The Tables
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2018
Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
After having a 10-21 overall record and a 3-15 last place finish in the Big East last season, the Providence College Women’s Basketball Team looks to turn things around, and ultimately prove themselves as one of the best teams in the Big East. While tough teams are slated to face the Friars, PC has high hopes.
A few days ago, at media day in New York City, the Big East released the Women’s Preseason Coaches’ poll, a poll in which coaches vote on who will be the top team of the season. Coaches, however, are not allowed to vote for their own team. The co-leaders of the poll were none other than DePaul University and Marquette University, who tied for the number one ranking last season.
The Friars were voted in as No. 9 out of 10 teams, due to their increase in strength and bringing back most of their roster.
Not much has significantly changed on the Friar’s roster during the offseason. Only two of the players from last season were seniors and have graduated. However, the team has recruited six new freshmen for this upcoming year. These women range from guards to forwards, and can each bring their own skill set to the team in any moment of the game.
One notable returning player is guard Channell Williams ’21. Last season, Williams averaged 6.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists (a team best) per game. These stats ultimately earned her two-time Big East Freshman of the Week, for the weeks of Jan. 8 and Jan. 22. Her stats and overall game also earned her a unanimous selection to the Big East All-Freshman team.
Jovana “Yo Yo” Nogic ’19, the team’s leading scorer, is another player to watch. Last season, Nogic was not only named Big East Player of the Week in November, but was consistently named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll, and through her first three seasons has scored 1,240 career points ranking her 18th all time at Providence in scoring.
This season, Nogic was named to the 20-player watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, an award presented each year to the NCAA Division I women’s basketball top shooting guard.
One thing that lead to Nogic being on the watchlist is how she is just 22 three-pointers away from breaking the College’s three-point record set by Julie Wheeler ’98. She is ranked second in the Big East for three-pointers made and fourth in three point field goal percentage throughout the entire Big East Conference
On top of this, it was recently announced that Nogic was named to the 11-member Preseason All-Big East Team for the second year in a row.
The Friars’ season begins on Nov. 3 when the team looks to take on Assumption College at Mullaney Gym, and then Penn State University at University Park in Pennsylvania.
As the Friars look ahead this season, it is key that they move on from the results of last season and focus on the season ahead. The Friars are ready to put their best feet forward and turn their fortunes around.
Rugby Wraps Up 2018 Fall Season
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2018
Sports
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
As the fall season comes to a close, Providence College’s Men’s Rugby Team concluded their 40th annual season on Oct. 27 with a considerable win over Saint Michael’s College by a score of 47-10. This marked the “Black Pack’s” second win of the season.
Their first win came against Middlebury College in the season opener on Sept. 15. The Black Pack narrowly edged out the Panthers 26-25. PC trailed for the entire game, but punched in a last minute try to cut the Panthers lead to just one. The conversion was then made by Nate Jakaitis ’20 to lift the Black Pack to a 26-25 victory.
The next four matches for the Friars did not go their way, as they dropped all four against some of the top teams in the league. Captain James Lesniak ’19 stated, “We had a tough schedule to start the season which had us playing the top 3 teams in the league, but it was great to finish our season on a high note with a win over St. Michael’s.”
In the Black Pack’s first loss of the season, Bentley University got the upper hand, winning 50-22. The following week, the Friars traveled to Norwich University to face off against the top team in the league. Norwich proved why they finished the year atop the standings as they brought the Friars their second loss with a score of 69-0.
The next two matches brought the Friars two more losses. A 49-24 loss to in-state rival Roger Williams, followed by a trip to University of Massachusetts-Lowell that ended in a 45-29 loss dropped the Black Pack’s record to 1-4.
The final match of the season brought the Saint Michael’s Purple Knights to Providence. The Black Pack’s offense continued to progress as they capped off their fall season with a sizeable victory (47-10) over the Purple Knights to conclude their season with a record of 2-4.
Perhaps PC’s grittiest team, the Black Pack exemplifies hard work, teamwork, and the epitome of toughness each season. Lesniak explained just how the Black Pack’s ferocity stays strong by articulating, “Our core mission is to play with heart, tenacity, and integrity.”
The season was plagued by injuries suffered by the Black Pack’s veteran core. “We were plagued by injuries this season,” said Lesniak, “four of our senior starters suffered season ending injuries. We worked through it by adopting a next man up mentality. A lot of younger guys stepped up to fill the voids.”
With what appears to have not been the season the Black Pack would have liked on paper, Lesniak remains positive by expressing even more excitement and praise for the squad’s young core. “The biggest takeaway from this year has to be our potential. With our new coach and our young talent, we have a lot to be looking forward to in the future.”
The Black Pack looks to come back in for their spring season with a vengeance. As Lesniak looks ahead to his final season in the black and white, he welcomes a positive outlook for the upcoming offseason. He concluded, “Our main focus to improving over the spring is our commitment. If we stay committed during the offseason, whether it be through keeping in shape or watching film, we can hit the ground running in our busy spring season.”
You can watch Lesniak and the Black Pack this spring as they look to capture a league championship.
Undefeated Start For Women’s Ice Hockey
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
Sports
Team Looks to Carry Success into the Rest of the Season
By Meaghan Cahill ’20
Sports Co-Editor
Hockey season has arrived in Friartown and the Providence College Women’s Ice Hockey Team is taking the right steps towards a successful season. They started off their season undefeated in their first three games and have provided a glimpse as to just how victorious their upcoming season can be.
Under the supervision of new Head Coach and former USA Hockey head scout, Matt Kelly, the team has been given a new perspective on the game and thus far it has made all the difference.
“Being at that level [Kelly] was given a different perspective…because he was looking at players and what they have and what they might be willing to offer…I think that his coaching ability will really show because he has been able to take that ability and apply it to the game and show how they can work that ability to the best [that they can],” commented assistant captain, Avery Fransoo ’20, on coach Kelly.
Along with a brand new coaching staff, the team welcomed three new freshmen: Ciara Barone ’22, Sara Hjalmarsson ’22, and Caroline Peterson ’22. Fransoo commented that the freshmen are a great addition to the team as they have proven their preparation for games. She added that the freshmen will be a “huge part in creating a winning environment for our team.”
The freshmen have certainly proven themselves as key players, as it was Hjalmarsson who stepped up to capture her first college career hat trick against College of the Holy Cross. Hjalmarsson helped lead the Friars to a 5-0 win. In just three games, Hjalmarsson has tallied an impressive five points overall with four goals and an assist.
“[Sara’s] really good. She’s got lots of speed and great hands,” Fransoo said of her new teammate. “And a wicked hard shot,” she adds. Her comment, of course, refers to the bullet Hjalmarsson sent sailing from just inside the blue line and right over Holy Cross goalie’s shoulder that would give Hjalmarsson not only her first Power Play goal, but also the team’s.
A native of Bankeryd, Sweden, Hjalmarsson’s first games as a Friar have earned her the name of Hockey East Pro Ambitions Rookie of the Week.
Barone is also making a statement on the ice. In her first game as a Friar, Barone had an impressive two-point game, notching both her first career assist and goal.
However, it is not just the freshmen that are standing out early in the season. Goaltender Maddie Myers ’19 has made her mark in the net, starting all five games this season. She has let in four goals so far, all against Bemidji State University.
“She’s been great back in net,” Fransoo stated. “Maddie has been a rock. I think all of the goalies continuously push each other to fight for that [starting] spot.” Myers is joined by two other goalies, Clare Minnerath ’20 and Sandra Abstreiter ’21.
Of course, it helps that Myers has a “solid D-group” and “strong forward group” aiding her both defensively and offensively.
Team veterans Kate Friesen ’19 and Maureen Murphy ’21 are two players who stand out among the forwards and defense. Friesen, who is the team captain, is coming off a season where she finished second best on the team in terms of +/- ratings (18+). A Hockey East All-Star Honorable Mention, Friesen has played in every game this season as well.
The same goes for Murphy. Beginning her second season with the Friars just after coming back from the 2018 U.S. Women’s National Team Evaluation camp, Murphy already has three goals and three assists.
With a makeup of 12 forwards and seven defensemen, the 19-player roster is really working on earning everything they get this season.
“Our perspective is going into each game thinking that you have to earn it. That is one of our major points that we’re following—earning each game and each shift,” Fransoo explains. “Determination, hard work, and everything you’ve prepared for in that moment: that will be the difference in not only our upcoming games but the games the rest of this season and going into playoffs.”
Aside from the “earning it” mentality that the team is focusing on this year, Fransoo nods to the team’s strengths, which she believes will set them up to go deep into the playoffs.
“I think our team has a lot of speed and I think that’s one of our attributes that really set the team apart. I think when we really use it we really dominate teams,” Fransoo acknowledged.
However, Fransoo points out that with their greatest strength comes a weakness that she admits needs to be worked on as a whole team: passing. With the overall high-intensity speed of the game, the team needs to focus on working on “keeping up” their passing with that speed.
“We have been preparing and working hard to get…wins,” says Fransoo on the team. “We have a lot of drive this year.”
The Lady Friars will look to continue their winning-streak this upcoming weekend at Pennsylvania State University in a two game series on Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20.
New Season Begins for Men’s Hockey
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
Sports
Friars Reload After Early End to Season
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
October is finally here, and with that, another season has commenced for Friars hockey. Led by captains Kasper Björkqvist ’20, Jacob Bryson ’20, and alternate captain Vinny Desharnais ’19, the Friars are hoping for yet another successful season culminating with their sixth straight trip to the NCAA tournament.
Only the Friars and the Denver Pioneers have appeared in the previous five NCAA tournaments.
The Friars have added a load of offensive weaponry in three talented freshmen forwards. 2018 first round Philadelphia Flyers draft pick, Jay O’Brien ’22, will slide into the first line center role. O’Brien posted 80 points (43 goals, 37 assists) in just 30 games in the 2017-2018 season with Thayer Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts. A quick skater with great playmaking ability, O’Brien will be heavily relied on to provide an offensive spark.
Another skilled freshman addition for the Friars is Rochester, New York product Jack Dugan ’22. Last season, Dugan skated with the Chicago Steel in the United States Hockey League and finished third in the league by scoring 66 points in 54 games. Dugan, a 6’2” 194 lb. power forward, has an excellent shot and the ability to make defenders miss. He will be crucial on the Power Play for the Friars by generating scoring chances.
Tyce Thompson ’22, another forward with a heavy shot, is looking to have a role on the blueline during the Power Play. Arizona Coyotes 2018 fifth round draft pick, Michael Callahan ’22, is an addition to the Friars sound defensive unit in front of goaltender Hayden Hawkey ’19. Along with Desharnais, Callahan provides a lot of size and he will be a solid shut-down defenseman who is not afraid to get into the dirty areas.
The Friars’ junior class, along with captains Bryson and Björkqvist, has a plethora of skill as well. Josh Wilkins ’20 has recorded 62 points through his first two seasons at the College. Wilkins, Björkqvist, and Brandon Duhaime ’20 are all goal-scoring threats, and with the addition of the skilled freshman class, the Friars are going to be able to deposit a substantial amount of goals this season.
Although offense was the story of the offseason, the Friars’ defense has proven to be critical thus far. After the Friars opened up the season with a 3-1 win over American International College (AIC), they traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to participate in the 2018 Ice Breaker Tournament.
Game 1 was against the University of Miami Ohio Red Hawks. This marked the 7th straight season in which these two teams faced off. Hawkey stopped all 22 shots he faced, as the Friars defense shut out the Red Hawks. Further, the Friars killed off seven penalties in this game. The penalty killing unit has been crucial for the Friars’ success.
Defenseman Spenser Young ’20 lead the charge with two goals in the 4-0 victory, along with a handful of blocked shots. Greg Printz ’21 also picked up his second tally of the year and Vimal Sukumaran ’20 redirected a Desharnais shot from the point. With that overwhelming win, the Friars were slated to face the No. 2 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the tournament championship, a long-awaited rematch from the 2017 NCAA tournament that ended the Friars’ National Championship run.
However, Notre Dame took home the trophy as they defeated the Friars 3-0. Penalties riddled PC again in this tilt, as six Friars made a trip to the penalty box. All three penalties were killed off in the first period, but the Irish converted once in the second and again in the third to put the game out of reach.
Hockey East action will start this Friday at Schneider Arena against the University of Connecticut Huskies. As the Friars compete in one of the most dominant conferences in college hockey, their strong freshman class, as well as the solid returning core, is imperative for success. They will face two powerhouses in Boston College and Boston University three times each this season, giving the Friars a problematic schedule from the start. However, Head Coach Nate Leaman and the Friars have their eyes set on their 6th straight NCAA appearance and a trip to Buffalo, New York for the 2019 Frozen Four.
Hogan ’20 Leads Friars During Playoff Push
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
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.
PC Men’s Soccer Celebrates 50 Years
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
Sports
Team Gets Big Win Over Xavier
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
This weekend at Providence College, the students and athletes had more to celebrate besides the opening of the new Ruane Friar Development Center. The College, along with many alumni and students were able to cheer on the PC Men’s Soccer Team as they secured a back to back victory against Xavier University, during the school’s 50th anniversary of the men’s soccer program.
At the match, players from the last 50 years of the program came to Providence, during St. Dominic’s weekend, to reunite and watch the match unfold. They were able to celebrate all the success the team has endured in the past, as well as look forward to the bright future that is in store for the program and athletes.
During halftime, a video was played on the scoreboard that commemorated the history of the team. Some of the biggest moments were displayed on the screen such as making the Elite Eight in the NCAA tournament in 2016 and the trip to the Final Four in 2014.
Former head coach Bill Doyle who was the first coach in the program’s history, sat down with current coach Craig Stewart to talk about building up the program and bringing the Friars into a perennial Big East contender.
A clip of former head coach Chaka Daley was played at the end. Daley talked about his time at PC. Daley considered the 2005 season to be one of the best seasons he was a part of. After going winless in 2004, the Friars turned things around in 2005, going 7-4-9.
The Friars shutout Xavier 2-0, making their record 5-4-1 (2-1 in the Big East). This win put the Friars in 3rd place in the Big East Conference. The two goals came from Joao Serrano ’20 from a free kick, and Danny Griffin ’20, with a counterattack goal in transition. Both occurred in the second half of the game. On the defensive side, goalie Colin Miller ’19 made two saves in the game and recorded his 3rd shutout of the season as well as the 16th shutout of his career. PC was able to defeat its second top-25 opponent this season.
The Friars were then ready to take on their next opponent, the University of Connecticut Huskies, on Tuesday night. Tiago Mendonca ’20 is currently leading the Friars with 4 goals and has started all 10 games this season. He is also tied for 8th most goals in the Big East. Miller is also leading the goalies of the Friars with 30 saves and 14 goals allowed, putting him 8th on the list for most saves in the Big East.
Sadly, the world is not all sunshine and rainbows; Mother Nature herself decided to make a visit to the Soccer New England night in Providence. While the Friars led the rainy match against UConn 1-0 by forward Andualem Chisolm ’22, lightning struck around the 60th minute of the second half, causing both the delay and the eventual call of the game with 30 minutes and 6 seconds remaining.
Per NCAA rules in soccer, since it did not reach the 70th minute, the game could not count. The match was ultimately put on record as a canceled. Word will come soon from the team on whether there will be a re-match. The Friars managed to play through a tough match, and can hopefully keep the momentum going in the coming days.
The road ahead after Uconn looks tough. This Saturday, Oct. 6, the Friars will take on Marquette University for the Friar Cup, and will continue the rest of their Big East play throughout the season.