Field Hockey Tallies Five Second-Half Goals To Defeat LIU, 5-2

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College field hockey team overcame a 2-0 deficit at halftime to defeat LIU, 5-2, on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Lennon Family Field in Providence, R.I.

1^ST QUARTER:
• LIU got on the board first as Sammy Bell capitalized on a Providence turnover deep in its defensive zone.
• Bell collected the ball, carried into the middle of the circle for a clean look at the goal cage.
• The Sharks held a 4-1 advantage in shots and 3-1 edge in penalty corners.

2^ND QUARTER:
• Bell connected for her second goal of the game on a penalty corner at 28:56.
• Bell and Felicia King connected on a nice passing sequence inside the circle to put LIU ahead 2-0 heading into halftime.
• The Friars earned their second corner of the game with two seconds left on the clock, but Roos Michiels (Noord-Brabrant, The Netherlands) attempt was wide of the cage.
• At the half, LIU held a 6-3 edge in shots and 4-3 advantage in corners.

3^RD QUARTER:
• The Friars came out firing in the third quarter, scoring three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead.
• Senior Niamh Gowing (Dublin, Ireland) started the action with a deflection on the left side of the cage. Junior Lisa McNamara (Barre, Vt.) was credited with the assist as she dumped the ball to Gowing in a congested circle at 33:36.
• Less than two minutes later at 37:09, senior Olivia Ward (Havelock North, New Zealand) tallied her first goal with a tip-in on a penalty corner. Gowing earned the assist.
• Ward's goal knotted the game, 2-2.
• McNamara got the go-ahead goal and she converted a penalty-stroke opportunity less than two minutes later (38:53).

4^TH QUARTER:
• Gowing scored her second goal of the game and the fourth-straight for the Friars to put PC ahead 4-2 at 46:25. Nora Goddard-Despot (North Vancouver, British Columbia) and McNamara were awarded assists as Gowing put home a direct shot on a corner.
• Providence kept rolling as Ward collected her second goal of the afternoon off a feed from Goddard-Despot at 55:48. Ward secured the ball on the left side of the circle before knocking home a back-handed effort.
• Ward's goal marked the final margin on the scoreboard (5-2).

NOTES:
• The Friars recorded a 13-9 edge in shots and 7-6 lead in penalty corners for the game.
• In the second half, Providence dominated the action with a 10-3 advantage in shot attempts (4-2 corners).
• Providence improved to 4-0 at home on Lennon Family Field.
• Michiels recorded a defensive save for the second-straight game.
• Asia Porter got the win in goal with six saves.
• Racel Vellis collected four saves for LIU.
• Gowing's game-high five points marked a single-game career high.
• Ward matched her career high in scoring with four points on two goals.

WHAT'S NEXT:
• The Friars hit the road for a pair of games next weekend. The squad opens BIG EAST Conference play against Villanova on Friday, Sept. 17 at 5:00 p.m. The match will be played at The Proving Ground in Conshohocken, Pa. Providence will remain on the road to face Monmouth on Sunday, Sept. 19 at 11:00 a.m.

• Follow the Friars on Twitter and Instagram (@PCFieldHockey)

- GO FRIARS! -

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Team Stats

Niamh Gowing

Olivia Ward

Lisa McNamara

Nora Goddard-Despot

Players Mentioned

Nora Goddard-Despot

Niamh Gowing

Lisa McNamara

Roos Michiels

Asia Porter

Olivia Ward