by The Cowl Editor on November 14, 2019
Friar Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
A fluctuating season for the Providence College Women’s Soccer Team ended last Thursday, November 7, in a 0-2 loss to Georgetown University in the Big East Tournament. The loss ultimately brought the Friars to an untimely end to their season at an 8-9-3 record, and 3-5-1 record in the Big East Conference. The Friars’ record had granted them the sixth-place seed in the Big East Tournament.
Highlights across the season included the opening season home win versus the University of Connecticut, the overtime win at the University of Texas, and even the underdog win against Butler University in the Big East Tournament, which ended in a shootout.
Theresa Durkee ’20 and Hannah McNulty ’21, expressed their favorite moments of the season, as well as the tools and strategies they used when going into the last game against Georgetown. They focused on looking forward to the moment of being in the semi-finals and overall not being intimidated by Georgetown’s record as one of the top-ranked teams in the Big East Conference.
These strategies also included keeping possession, exploiting Georgetown’s weaknesses, and remaining confident with keeping the energy in the tournament. As mentioned by McNulty, who led the team with nine goals, “Being the underdog in the tournament certainly provided us with confidence to show everyone who we can be and keep the identity which we tried to create throughout the season, so we will try to take each game day-by-day.”
While the team lost in the semi-finals, they looked on the bright side of what they accomplished this season, as well as the memories they created with the team throughout the season.
The two words that Durkee and McNulty used to describe the season were “memorable” and “growth.” With this being Durkee’s last season, she was both excited and nervous for the season to the start and end.
Herself, as well as fellow seniors Olivia Lucia ’20, Melissa Bambery ’20, Alessandra Arace ’20, and Katelyn Vieira ’19GS, enjoyed being role models for their teammates and creating a culture that is used today within the team.
When asked about one thing she could say to her younger freshman self, back in 2016, Durkee said, “Do not let the pressure get to you,” telling all the future recruits to enjoy the time they have on the team. Durkee even mentioning to all: “Do it for the little girl.”
As she prepares for her senior year on the team, McNulty has one clear goal on her mind: winning the Big East National Championship. She is ready to take the team and lead the charge against all those that stand in their way next season. Looking forward to what the spring sessions have to offer in 2020, she is grateful for what the seniors taught her on how to be the leader she knows she can be.
The culture for the Friars is ready to expand and change the dynamic for years to come.