PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The University of Pennsylvania (9-7, 4-2) had their second contest in as many days on a dreary afternoon in Providence, R.I., and despite an even effort, the Providence Friars (11-7, 4-3) pulled out a 1-0 victory over the visiting Quakers during their first-ever meeting. A Friar tally in the 67^th minute proved to be the game-winner as Penn finalized their non-conference slate for the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
*The match was a back-and-forth affair from the start and both teams saw chances in the early goings. Penn drew their first corner of the day in the 16^th minute, but struggled to find a good look at net on the opportunity. On the ensuing play, sophomore goalkeeper Ava Rosati turned away the Friar counterattack to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
 
*The Red and Blue saw good chances in the 21^st and 29^th ticks on two additional corner efforts. The Alexa Schneck shots sailed wide and were saved by the Friar defense as the half continued on without a score from either side. Penn concluded the stanza with a great look from freshman Erin Kelly, but another save from PC's goalkeeper Megan Guilbert kept the scoreline deadlocked at 0-0 heading into intermission. By the half, the Red and Blue held a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal over the Friars.
 
*Stalwart defense was the name of the game coming out of the hale, and neither team mustered much offense past the other through the first 20 minutes out of halftime. Gina Guccione had an excellent effort down the left flank in the 60^th minute, but the chance was saved once again by the Friar backfield.
 
*A counterattack by Providence at the 66:24 mark proved to be the difference maker. Following a yellow card on Schneck after a contested ball in the Quaker defensive end, the Friars capitalized on a corner awarded for the infraction. Allie Lancaster's score on a deflection to the left post gave the Friars the 1-0 lead as the hosts held on to the lead in the final minutes.
 
*Penn pulled Rosati and played with a kicking back in the final minutes of the match, but couldn't find the equalizer down the stretch.
 
*The Red and Blue held a 10-8 advantage in shots for the day and a 5-2 lead in penalty corners. On the defensive end, Rosati notched four saves in the defeat while PC's Guilbert tallied six in the win.
 
UP NEXT
Penn returns home for the final regular season game of the year next Saturday, Nov. 4 to take on Princeton on the friendly confines of Ellen Vagelos Field. Game time is scheduled for Noon and will also recognize the five graduating members of Penn Field Hockey's Class of 2018.