Feb. 2, 2008

Box Score

Boston, Mass. - The women's ice hockey team was defeated at Boston University, 3-1, in Hockey East action on Saturday afternoon. PC and BU combined to score four power-play goals, but it was the Terriers who emerged victoriously behind the goaltending of junior keeper Allyse Wilcox, who made 46 saves in the game. With the loss Providence falls to 12-11-3 (7-4-2 HE) while BU improves to 9-12-3 (6-6-1 HE).

In the first period, the Friars had several scoring opportunities, including early chances by Kathleen Smith (waterloo, Ontario) and Jean O'Neill (Strafford, Pa.) that required BU goaltender Allyse Wilcox to make two left-pad saves. The Terriers then had their best chance to score at 8:08 when Sarah Appleton had two shots in close on Friar goaltender Danielle Ciarletta (Blaine, Minn.), who made consecutive saves to keep the Terriers off the board. PC almost took the lead at 18:08 when Danielle Tangredi's (London, Ontario) turnaround backhander went just wide of the BU cage, keeping the score knotted at 0-0 after one period of play.

In the second period junior Katy Beach came close to giving the Friars the lead at 4:57 when she deked two BU defenders in order to get a shot off from just outside the BU crease, but Wilcox made the save. The Terriers were then able to take the lead off of a Melissa Anderson power-play goal that developed after a BU face-off win in the PC defensive zone at 11:06. BU made it 2-0 at 14:30 when Appleton scored while the Terriers were skating on a five-on-three advantage, as she converted a one-timer from the top of Ciarletta's left face-off circle.

In the third, BU netted their third power-play goal at 2:58 when Melissa Anderson's shot deflected off a skate in front and past Ciarletta to make the score 3-0. Gina Kearns assisted on the goal. At 4:53 Smith almost got one back for the Friars while they were skating with the man advantage, when her drive from the point eluded Wilcox, only to hit the far post. On the same power-play, O'Neill came close when se took a pass from Alyse Ruff (Tualatin, Ore.) across the slot, but again Wilcox made the save. While on the power-play Tangredi got the Friars on the board as she jammed a loose puck home to make the score 3-1 at 10:51. Beach and Smith were credited with assists. The Friars kept up the pressure, out-shooting BU 25-2 in the period, but Wilcox and BU held on for the win

Ciarletta finished with 21 saves for the Friars, while Wilcox made 46 saves to earn the win.

The Friars return to action next weekend with a home-and-home series versus HE opponent Connecticut. The first game will be on Saturday, February 9 at the Huskies' Freitas Ice Forum, with a 1:00 p.m. start.