Field Hockey Upsets No. 4 Princeton, 2-1

Sept. 20, 2009

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College field hockey team upset No. 4 Princeton, 2-1, on Sunday, September 20 at the Friar Field Hockey and Lacrosse Complex. The Friars improve to 3-4 on the season, while previously unbeaten Princeton falls to 5-1. The Tigers, who entered the game ranked No. 4 nationally, are the highest ranked opponent that the Friars have defeated since 2006. During that season, Providence upset No. 8 Michigan, 2-1, in Providence, R.I.

The two teams played to a scoreless tie throughout the first half until Princeton broke through with the game's first goal of the afternoon as time expired. The Tigers' goal came off a penalty corner play as Kathleen Sharkey fed Michelle Cesan at the left post. It marked Cesan's third goal of the season, giving Princeton a 1-0 cushion at halftime. Princeton outshot Providence 12-3 in the opening half and held a 9-3 advantage in penalty corners.

The Friars tied the game, 1-1, early in the second half when junior Julie Ruggieri (Barrington, R.I.) scored at the 36:45 mark on a reverse stick shot that sailed over the Tigers' goalkeeper and into the right side of the cage. Freshman Nicole Fernandez (Tewksbury, Mass.) then scored what proved to be the game-winner, unassisted, at 55:47. It marked the first goal of her collegiate career with the Friars and came off a rebound at the right post.

Senior goalkeeper Rachel Chamberlain (Branford, Conn.) played stellar in the cage for Providence. She recorded a season-high 12 saves in the game. Princeton held a 22-7 advantage in shots in the game and held a 19-5 edge in corners, but the Friars' defense kept coming up with big plays when they needed them.

Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the field, the Friars made the best of their opportunities. Providence put three of its seven shots on goal and came away with two scores. Of Princeton's 22 shots, 13 were on goal.

Providence College returns to action on Saturday, September 26 against BIG EAST foe Syracuse at Noon. The game will be played in Syracuse, N.Y.

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Team Stats

Nicole Fernandez

Julie Ruggieri

Ashlyn Hudson

Adrienne Marois

Players Mentioned

Rachel Chamberlain

Nicole Fernandez

Julie Ruggieri

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Providence College Athletics