PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The No. 18 nationally ranked Old Dominion field hockey team (10-3, 4-1 BIG EAST) took down Providence (5-9, 1-4 BIG EAST) by a 2-1 score on Friday afternoon at Lennon Family Field. Old Dominion has won six of its last seven games, as well as 10 of its last 12.
"Providence is always a tough place to come and win, so I'm pleased with the result," said ODU head coach Andrew Griffiths. "Alice Demars made a big impact for us in the midfield and Cam MacGillivray was very strong in goal, so we are also getting great contributions from a lot of different players in different games. I'm excited for our performances over the next few weeks, to see where the team can go."
With 8:29 remaining in the second quarter, Nicole Fredricks gave ODU a 1-0 lead off a double assist from Frederique Zandbergen and Alice Demars. The goal was the second of the season for Fredricks.
In the 54th minute, Delphine Le Jeune fired the ball into a congested area in front of the Friars cage, where Ilse Westera was able to get her stick on it and misdirect the ball into the back of the Providence cage to give ODU a 2-0 lead. The goal was the fourth of the year for Westera.
With just one second remaining in regulation, Providence's Amanda Collins scored off a penalty corner to make it a 2-1 final.
For the match, the Friars held advantages for shots (14-10) and corners (6-4), while both teams had seven shots on goal. MacGillivray was credited with six saves in the cage for the Monarchs.
"We have been working on executing on corners and we did that today," said ODU team captain Marlee McClendon. "We have been growing each week and making steps, so we are able to peak at the right time. The focus for us is fighting together as a team and improving each game. We got the job done today and are ready to get after it Sunday!"
The Monarchs will return home to welcome No. 14 Virginia to the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Sunday, October 17 at 1 p.m. Sunday's game will stream on www.ODUSports.com.
No. 14 Virginia will arrive in Norfolk with a 7-5 record and is 2-2 in ACC action. The Cavaliers possess a RPI of 19. UVA has lost its last two matches, but is 3-1 when playing on the road this season. Old Dominion and Virginia met earlier this season on September 26, when the Monarchs downed then No. 11 UVA by a 2-1 score in Charlottesville.
No. 18 Field Hockey Takes Down Providence, 2-1
