Feb. 29, 2008

Box Score

Chestnut HIll, Mass. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team was defeated by Boston College, 4-2, in Hockey East action Friday afternoon. The Friars fought back to tie the score at 1-1 late in the first, but the Eagles were then able to score two unanswered goal to pull ahead, 3-1 late into the third. PC then pulled junior goaltender Danielle Ciarletta (Blaine, Minn.) in favor of the extra attacker, and scored to make it 3-2 with 1:03 remaining. But the Eagles added an empty net goal as time expired to secure the win. With the loss, Providence now stands at 15-15-3 (10-8-2 HE) on the season, while Boston College improves to 14-13-6 overall (9-9-2 HE).

In the first period BC came out and applied early pressure, and Friar goaltender Danielle Ciarletta (Blaine, Minn.) was forced to make several stops in the early going, including a right-pad save on BC's Colleen Harris from just outside the goal crease at 3:10. The Eagles were able to strike first when Harris got hold of a rebound in front of the PC goal and put it up over Ciarletta to give BC a 1-0 lead at 5:38. The Friars were able to then tie the score at the 13:52 mark, while skating on a five-on-three advantage. Erin Normore (Cambridge, Ontario) blasted a shot from the point that BC goaltender Molly Schaus turned aside, but Jean O'Neill (Strafford, Pa.) was able to slide the rebound over to Mari Pehkonen (Tampere, Finland), who found the back of the net from just outside the goal crease. BC then took back the lead when, at 16:02, Erin Blood took a shot from the slot area that beat a screened Ciarletta.

In the second, the Friars worked hard to try and come up with the equalizer, drawing several consecutive penalties midway through the period. On the ensuing power plays, Brittany Simpson's (Barrie, Ontario) drive from the point was turned aside by Schaus with a blocker at 11:15, while Amber Yung (Rockaville, Va.) and Kathleen Smith (Waterloo, Ontario) both hit the post in a span of two minutes.

The Friars and Eagles combined to generate several scoring chances to open the third. The Friar's Jenna Keilch (Clinton Township, Mich.) had a chance to even the score at the 1:50 mark, but BC's Schaus recovered in time to making a diving, cross-crease blocker save on the senior forward. Then at 6:54, BC earned a penalty shot when Allie Thunstrom was hooked down while on a break away. Ciarletta made a glove save on the penalty shot to keep the Friars within one. But at 14:55 Kelli Stack was able to give the Eagles a two goal cushion when she slid past the Friar defense and beat Ciarletta while on a partial break away attempt. PC then pulled the goalie and got an extra attacker gaol at 18:57 by Cherie Hendrickson (Boxford, Mass.), with assists going to Danielle Tangredi (London, Ontario) and O'Neill.

The Friars close out the regular season tomorrow at Schneider Arena as they host BC for a 1:00 game. Prior to the game there will be a ceremony to honor the seven graduating seniors on the Friar roster.