#20 University of Albany Field Hockey Defeats #19 Providence At Alumni Field - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Senior forward Nicole Savage scored both of UAlbany's goals to lead the Great Danes to a 2-1 win over 19th-ranked Providence in non-conference field hockey action on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Turf Field. With its first win of the season over a ranked opponent, UAlbany improves to 7-2, while Providence falls to 3-6 overall.

Savage scored her first unassisted goal of the game in the 13th minute, taking a rebound off Providence goalkeeper Rachel Chamberlain and firing a hard shot into the back of the cage. Savage doubled the score at 18:26 on another rebound. The ball came off Chamberlain's pads into the air, where Savage made a stop and quick shot into the upper left corner. The Great Danes kept the pressure on for the remainder of the half, carrying the two-goal advantage into the break.

Providence got on the board just under three minutes into the second half, as Kelly Grogan slipped an unassisted shot into the left corner of the goal over UAlbany goalkeeper Kristi Troch. UAlbany's defense played strong for the remainder of the game, keeping the Great Dane offense in control and holding off several attempts by Providence.

UAlbany outshot the Friars, 16-7, and held a 6-4 advantage in penalty corners. Savage led the UAlbany attack with five shots on goal, while Providence's Nellie Poulin finished with two shots on goal. Chamberlain played all 70 minutes in the cage, recording eight saves for Providence (3-6). Troch and Christine Hoffman split time in the cage for the Great Danes, with each making one save in their half of play.

UAlbany (7-2) will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 3 in the America East Conference opener, hosting Fairfield at 1 p.m.