PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Danielle Grega scored a pair of first-half goals and the Old Dominion field hockey team secured a bid to next week's Big East Tournament with a 2-0 victory at Providence on Friday afternoon at Lennon Family Field.
"It is great to finish conference play with a win away from home," said Griffiths. "Those key conference games are always tough battles near the end of the season when tournament spots are on the line."
Grega's goals, which were both unassisted, came less than four minutes apart late in the first half. The senior midfielder deflected in a loose ball in the 28th minute to give Old Dominion (8-8, 5-2 Big East) the lead and then flicked in a reverse shot in the 32nd minute to double the Monarch advantage just before halftime.
The Monarchs carried the 2-0 lead into the break and then the defense shut down the Providence (10-7, 4-3 Big East) attack for the second half, as the final 45 minutes were scoreless.
Freshman goalkeeper Lacey Frazier recorded her second shutout of the season, making five saves. The backline of Rebecca Birch, Cameran Nery-Strickland and Kristen Vick all played the full 70 minutes to help Frazier earn the shutout.
"Providence is a strong team and played very well throughout the game," said Griffiths. "We started off slowly, but our back three were excellent and we took our chances well when we got them."
ODU will either be the No. 2 or No. 3 seed for the conference tournament, depending on the result between Liberty and Temple today at 5 p.m. A Temple win gives ODU the No. 2 seed, while a Liberty win moves ODU to the No. 3 seed.
Stay tuned to BigEast.com for more updates on the Big East Tournament.
Up next, the Monarchs have a quick turnaround, as they return to Norfolk to host No. 4 Virginia on Sunday at 1 p.m. for Senior Day. Danielle Grega, Carrie Sensenig and Julia Van Dorsten will all be honored in a pregame ceremony.
"We have a quick turnaround to play a really talented UVA team on Sunday," said Griffiths. "So, focus will be all on that tomorrow morning."
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