Women’s Soccer Takes Crosstown Cup with 1-0 win over Providence

Sunday, September 15

Providence, RI

1:00 PM

Brown University

5-0-1

Providence College

3-3-1

Providence

Brown

Women’s Soccer Takes Crosstown Cup with 1-0 win over Providence

9/15/2019 4:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Freshman Ava Seelenfreund scored the game's only goal, the Bears' defense posted a shutout for the fifth straight game, and Brown University women's soccer took the Crosstown Cup with a 1-0 win over intracity rival Providence College on Sunday afternoon at Stevenson-Pincince Field.

The Bears (5-0-1) – off to their best start since starting the 2000 season with a 9-0-0 record – topped the visiting Friars (3-3-1) for the first time since 2011 behind a goal in the 30^th minute from Seelenfreund (Truckee, Calif.).

"Anytime we play Providence, it is going to be a hard-fought challenge," Brown head coach Kia McNeill said. "The local rivalry is felt by both sides. It is always a high-intensity, high-energy game. Our team stayed disciplined throughout the match and got numbers behind the ball when we needed to. I'm happy to walk away with the points from this game."

The Bears have allowed just one goal this season (0.17 per game) and extended their shutout streak to nearly 504 minutes (503:54). Brown – ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll – improved to 5-0-0 at home on the season.

Junior goalkeeper Kayla Thompson (Austin, Texas) made four saves for her fourth consecutive clean sheet.

"Getting shutouts – as I've said before – that becomes part of your DNA as a team," McNeill said. "We take a lot of pride in doing that. Kayla came up with some big-time saves in the end there. You need goalkeepers to do that in matches like this. Coming away with a shutout against a very good team will help to boost our confidence."

Seelenfreund scored her third goal of the season and finished the weekend with three points on a goal and an assist. She leads the team with seven points (three goals, one assist) and two game-winning goals on the season.

Sophomore Claire Myers (Fairport, N.Y.) and senior Celia Story (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) each notched her first assist of the season. Myers and Story now have five and nine career assists respectively.

Brown's back line of juniors Sydney Cummings (Millstone Township, N.J.) and Cameron Brown (Portsmouth, Va.), sophomore Lauren Hinton (Middletown, Conn.), and freshman Rachyl Francisco (San Jose, Calif.) aided Brown in the team's fifth shutout of the year. That back four has played 2,232 of a possible 2,240 combined minutes on the season while Cummings and Brown have helped the Bears post 16 shutouts since the start of the 2017 season.

On the game's scoring play, freshman Sheyenne Allen (Bear, Del.) carried the ball along the left side before sending a cross into the box. Story worked the ball to Myers who found Seelenfreund. Seelenfreund then took a touch to free herself and sent a shot into the back of the net from just inside the penalty area.

The Bears nearly took an early lead in the 23^rd minute as a header from sophomore Rebecca Rosen (Port Washington, N.Y.) off a free kick from Cummings required an extended save.

Thompson made key saves on well-struck balls in the 52^nd and 68^th minutes, making a diving stop on the first bid before snaring the second attempt.

In the game's waning moments, junior Star White (Norfolk, Va.) put a shot on frame that PC goalkeeper Shelby Hogan tipped off the crossbar. Hogan finished the contest with six saves.

Through the game's first half hour, Brown held advantages in shots (6-2), shots on goal (3-0), and corner kicks (5-1). For the match, the Bears led in shots on goal (7-4) and corners (6-3) while PC led in shots (15-12).

Next, Brown hosts Fairfield University on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 4:00 p.m. (ESPN+) at Stevenson-Pincince Field.

Video of all Brown women's soccer home contests and all Ivy League games, home and away, will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Tickets for all Brown women's soccer games can be purchased online, by calling the Brown Athletics Ticket Office at (401) 863-2773, or by walking up to the box office located in the Pizzitola Sports Center, open Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.