EASTON, Pa. – The defenses proved too tough for both Providence and the Lafayette field hockey team on Friday night at Rappolt Field as neither side let up a goal for 80 minutes of action before the Friars knocked off the Leopards in a penalty shootout, 3-1.
 
Chances were hard to come by from both sides in a game that couldn't have been more evenly matched with corners at 9-9, saves at 6-6 and Providence edging the Leopards in shots, 12-11. The Leopards produced two of the game's three shots in the two overtime sessions, but couldn't find a winner before falling in strokes.
 
Lafayette drops to 1-4 this season with the defeat, while Providence improves to 4-1.
 
"We saw a lot of growth between last week and this week, but part of sport is finding a way to get a win in these tough moments," head coach Jennifer Stone said. "When you go into a shootout, it's great when you win, but it's a tough one to swallow when you lose."
 
Following 80 minutes of scoreless action, the Friars' Maddie Babineau and Lafayette freshman Simone Hefting made quick work of their shootout chances to tie it at 1-1. Mikayla Michals took the upper hand, beating Leopard senior net-minder Sarah Park to take the lead, 2-1, after a miss from Lafayette sophomore Molly McAndrew.
 
Providence's Corinne Kenney and Lafayette's Lisa van der Geest both were thwarted on their opportunities before Mary O'Reilly put the eventual game-winner past Park. Freshman Felicitas Hannes stepped up to keep it alive for the Maroon and White, but her effort was poke-checked away to seal it.
 
Park put together a stellar showing between the pipes, making six saves in her 80+ minutes of action. On the other side, Lydia Rice was excellent as well with six saves in the win.
 
Lafayette returns to Rappolt Field on Sunday, hosting Richmond at 12 p.m.