by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Friar Sports
By Jack Belanger ’21
Sports Co-Editor
In terms of consistency, it would be hard to find a team more solid than the Providence College Field Hockey Team. In the past 12 seasons, the team has qualified for the Big East tournament eight times. Only four out of eight teams qualify for the tournament.
Last season, the Friars finished fourth in the Big East with 11-8 record overall and 4-3 in Big East play. The team faced the University of Connecticut Huskies in the semi-finals for a chance to compete for the Big East finals. Unfortunately, the Huskies, who would go on to finish the season undefeated and win the National Championship, beat the Friars 3-0, ending their season.
This season, PC returns six starters including Corinne Kenney ’19 and Mikayla Michals ’20, who were named to the all Big East Preseason Team. Kenney was named All-Big East Second Team last year and she returns as one of PC’s top defenders.
Last season, Michals was tied for the team lead in goals with five. She was second on the team in points and returns as the top scorer from last season. Izzy Mendez ’20 also had five goals last season, giving PC its top two goal-scorers for 2017.
In goal, Lydia Rice ’19 takes over this season after Megan Guilbert ’18 graduated. Rice comes into the season with only two career games under her belt. Rice should have plenty of help in front of her as the Friars return multiple defenders from a team that allowed the second fewest goals in the Big East with 35 goals.
Allyson Parker ’20 is another returning starter to watch out for. Last season, Parker started in every game for the Friars. After scoring two goals last season, she will be tasked with picking up the scoring as several of the top scorers left the team.
Two freshmen who are looking to make an immediate impact this season are Jenna Puleo ’22 and Amanda Collins ’22 who play forward and midfielder/defense, respectively. Through seven games this year Collins has registered three assists and started every game, while Puleo has appeared in six games.
So far this season, PC is 3-4 and has not played any Big East games yet. The team started 0-3 after a trip out to California. Once the team came home, the Friars responded with a three game winning streak, followed by a loss to the University of Iowa.
The 2018 Big East Field Hockey Preseason Coaches’ Poll picked the Friars to once again finish fourth in the league. The University of Connecticut, the defending champs, are once again picked to finish in first, receiving seven first place votes.