UP SPORTS INFORMATION 

Great Falls, Mont., August 24, 2022 – Fresh off a season-opening loss to Mount Royal University Saturday, the Providence women's soccer team gets a chance to rebound as the Argos travel to Helena Thursday for a friendly with Carroll College.  

The Argos fell 2-1 at home in their 2022 debut, playing well throughout the match led by a solid defensive performance. Kaitlyn Sisler stopped 13 of 15 shots faced and impressed coach Heather Blandford between the pipes. Daniela Waialeale scored the lone Argo goal and will look to lead her team against the Saints. Providence has been focusing on getting better as a team and Coach Blandford says seeing film has benefited the team in practice this week, "It was fun to get us out there in a competitive environment to just see those areas we do need to improve on and those areas we are already doing good things. We really focused on team concepts, on that team defensive concept understanding that we don't always have to win the ball right away, we are looking to create other opportunities for a second defender to come in and win the ball." 

Early season bumps and bruises will force Providence to possibly be short-handed, but it is an opportunity to get the younger gals more minutes in a non-conference affair. The Argos will take Thursday to get better and focus more on themselves. Heading to the Capital City to face Carroll College in a friendly is also only in phrasing. Blandford says once the whistle blows, the competitive juices get going, "Anytime we are playing Carroll we know that they are very well coached, organized, athletic and technical. It's definitely a fun rivalry and both teams want to be out there and compete hard, that's what makes it so much fun. I'm really excited to see how we match up. It's a good opening game for us to see how we match up in (Cascade) conference play this year. I think it's a good benchmark." 

Kickoff at Nelson Stadium in Helena will be Thursday at 6 pm. For more information, visit www.upargos.com.