NORFOLK, Va. – #15 Old Dominion field hockey fell to Providence, 2-0, on Friday afternoon at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex in its home and BIG EAST conference opener.
“Well to speak frankly, we deserved to lose the game today,” Head Coach Andrew Griffiths said. “We worked hard this week in practice to prepare, and Providence played how we expected. We simply didn’t show up to play today. We didn’t follow the game plan in pressing or moving the ball. Providence beat us to most 50/50 balls, and played tougher than we did today, so full credit to them.”
Providence (6-1) took control of the first quarter, though Avery Jackson had a lone shot for Old Dominion (4-2). After a penalty corner, Friar Bo Martina scored with help from Piper Cline and Darcy Quaile. Floriencia Talarico had one last shot for Providence, before the first quarter ended with the away team up 1-0.
Providence continued its momentum into the second quarter, with Cline collecting her first shot of the afternoon. Despite ODU earning a corner with four minutes remaining in the half, the Monarchs were unable to capitalize following a shot from Serena Langendoen, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.
ODU collected another corner under two minutes into the third quarter, but it went without a goal. With 9:22 remaining, ODU grabbed another corner, and Providence responded with its own 22 seconds later. Both teams were unable to extend their leads by the time the fourth quarter rolled around.
The Friars were awarded a penalty stroke shot with under seven minutes left in the game, as Charlotte Lorden scored to increase Providence’s lead. Old Dominion pulled its goalie for the remaining time, though the Monarchs weren’t able to get on the board, awarding Providence with a 2-0 shutout.
Providence collected six shots on ODU’s three, including four shots on goal to the Monarch’s one. Old Dominion accounted for three corners and two saves, while the Friars had two and one, respectively.
Serena Langendoen, Avery Jackson, and Laila Zdancewicz all recorded one shot each for ODU, while Alexa Murphy had two saves and two goals allowed in her first career start.
“It’s my job to prepare the team better so that we can translate what we are doing in practice into game play, so I need to do that better,” Griffiths added. “We will learn from it, turn it around quickly and get ready to attack the Delaware game on Sunday with a fresh focus and energy.”
UP NEXT
Old Dominion remains at home to host Delaware on Sunday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex.