WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The Providence College women's soccer team scored two goals in the final six minutes of regulation to steal a 2-1 victory over the University of Hartford on Thursday night at Alumni Stadium.
Hartford (2-3-2 overall) took a 1-0 lead late in the first half and spent the entire second stanza defending against a furious PC attack. The Friars took 15 shots in the final 45 minutes, testing freshman goalkeeper Lauren Brodeur and the Hartford defense. Providence (4-1-0 overall) finally broke through in the 85th minute to tie the game and then netted the game winner with only 17 seconds remaining in the contest.
Senior Kacey Busque got the Hawks on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute, beating a PC defender to a loose ball and then chipping it over the goalkeeper from 25 yards out. Hartford took the 1-0 lead into halftime and came out ready to defend the margin. The Hawks were put to the test right away, as Providence used a relentless attack to put together several good scoring chances.
Within the first 10 minutes of the half, the Friars thought they had scored the tying goal but had it called off due a foul in the box. Later, Brodeur made a pair of outstanding saves to keep the Hawks in front. The first was a low shot that she barely deflected with her foot to send the ball just wide of the post. The second came on a ball that was rocketed to the top of the goal; she got her hands on the ball and deflected it up into the crossbar, and the ball bounced back out into play.
Providence finally broke through in the 85th minute following a corner kick. The ball was played into the box and a shot was put on goal to Brodeur's left. A Hartford defender made the stop, but the rebound found its way to the foot of Megan Mancarella, and she deposited the ball into the back of the net for the score.
The Friars kept the pressure on in the final minutes, and it paid off with 17 seconds to play. Lindsey Trubia tracked down a ball at the endline and crossed it into the box. Brodeur tried to cut the ball off but it got by her, and Courtney Collins was waiting to finish off the cross with a header into the open net.
Brodeur finished with six saves against 21 shots on the night. Providence keeper Jill Schott made one save. The Friars held a 9-3 advantage on corner kicks and a 21-5 edge in shots.
Hartford will have a 10-day layoff before hosting Colgate University on Sunday, September 21 at 2 p.m.
