October 12, 1998

Although the Friars finished below .500 last season, Head Coach Jackie Barto believes the players developed as a team and improved on offense and defense. In addition, the squad also matured in post-season play as the Friars reached the ECAC Tournament for the 15th consecutive season in 1997-98. Qualifying for the Tournament is an accomplishment that PC has achieved since the ECAC held its inaugural tournament in 1984.

This season, Barto believes the team has an excellent opportunity to return to the ECAC Championship and challenge for the squad's seventh ECAC title. "We have a strong senior class and we showed continual improvement last year," Barto said. "In addition with Sara (DeCosta) returning from her Olympic experience, our defense will receive a boost."

Despite the fact that Providence appears to be solid on offense, defense and in goal, it will take a total team effort in 1998-99 for the Friars to capture their first ECAC crown since 1995. PC also will have to overcome the loss of defenseman Catherine Hanson. Hanson, a four-year starter on the blue line for the black and white, earned Second Team ECAC All-Star honors last season after finishing third on the team in scoring with 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 32 games. She was a physical player, who graduated as the Friars' all-time leader in penalty minutes with 188.

THE FORWARDS Returning 11; Lost 0; Newcomers 3

The Friars will strive to be more creative on offense this season. With the return of seniors Myia Yates (St. Paul, Minn.) and Katie Lachapelle (Lewiston, Maine) as well as sophomore Jessica Tabb (Springfield, Mass.) the Friars will feature a balanced offensive attack. In August, all three players participated in the USA Hockey Women's Festival in Lake Placid, N.Y., which showcased the top 72 high school and college players in the nation. Yates will be one of the keys to the team's offensive success. She is coming off a strong junior year in which she finished second on the team in scoring with 12 goals and 26 assists in 32 games. Yates, who has had an extremely productive career for the Friars, recording 96 points (36 goals, 60 assists) in her first three seasons, is just four points shy of registering her 100th collegiate point. This season, she will try to take on a leadership role and match her career season high of 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) which she produced as a sophomore. Lachapelle has the potential to be one of the team's top players. She has great hands and is very versatile. As a sophomore, Lachapelle registered a career high 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists). She posted good numbers again last season with 11 goals and 14 assists in 24 games. Tabb is one of the top players in the ECAC. Last season, she became the fifth Friar to earn ECAC Rookie of the Year honors after tallying 39 points (22 goals, 17 assists) in 32 games. Tabb is a natural goal scorer with great playmaking ability. She will be looked upon to make a strong offensive contribution for the Friars.

Seniors Sherryl Jones (Mississauga, Ontario) and Tina Schairer (Westford, Mass.) each return for their final season with the Friars. Both players bring an excellent work ethic to the ice for Providence and will be expected to serve as leaders this season. Jones, a superior athlete who stars on the College's volleyball team, can play right or left wing. In 78 career games at Providence, she has recorded 16 points (six goals, 10 assists). Jones plays a vital role as one of the team's top defensive forwards. She has gained confidence each year and will look to have her best season in 1998-99. Schairer has shown continual improvement throughout her collegiate career. She is a strong forechecker who can make things happen in the corners. Last season, Schairer recorded 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 32 games. She recorded her best season as a sophomore when she tallied 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists).

Sophomore Corinne Rosen (Milwaukee, Wis.) and freshman Beth Wolff (Hibbing, Minn.) also are expected to impact the offense this season. Rosen showed great improvement her freshman season. She finished fifth on the team in scoring with 11 goals and 11 assists in 32 games last season. Her offensive success can be attributed to her unique ability at establishing a presence in the offensive zone. Rosen works hard at creating offense through her tenacious forechecking. Wolff is one of the top high school players from Minnesota. As a senior at Hibbing High School, she recorded 79 points (37 goals, 42 assists) and was a finalist for Ms. Hockey in Minnesota. Wolff, who has good offensive ability, should contribute immediately.

Juniors Jennifer Bill (Minnetrista, Minn.), Colleen Doherty (Arlington, Mass.) and Kerstin Matthews (Westford, Mass.) will add depth and balance to the lineup. Bill could play forward or defense this season. She has worked on her shot and has improved offensively. Last season, she recorded two goals and proved useful as a solid defensive forward. Doherty has an excellent work ethic. Although she has seen limited action in her first two seasons, she will be expected to help the team this season. Matthews played well during the team's final 20 games in 1997-98. She is a strong forechecker and has offensive ability. Last season, she scored a crucial goal which helped the team capture it's first Mayor's Cup with a 2-0 win against Brown.

Also returning to the offense are sophomores Erin Cannon (Potsdam, N.Y.) and Holley Tyng (East Orleans, Mass.). Cannon will be looking to break into the lineup this season. She saw limited action last year, but has worked hard at improving her skating. Tyng will be an asset to the Friars. She can play forward or defense. Last season, Tyng recorded two assists from the defensive slot. She should see more time at the forward position where she is a strong forechecker.

Sophomore Margaux Lanoie (Woonsocket, R.I.) and freshman Jackie Tamsin (Branford, Conn.) are two newcomers who should help the offense this season. Lanoie is a hard working, aggressive player who transferred to Providence after spending her freshman season at CCRI. She played her high school hockey at Woonsocket where she was a member of the boy's team. Tamsin is an excellent athlete with offensive ability who will contribute for the Friars. She comes to Providence after spending four years at Lauralton Hall high school.

THE DEFENSE Returning 4; Lost 1; Newcomers 3

Although Head Coach Jackie Barto lost her defensive leader Catherine Hanson to graduation last May, the Friars have an excellent group of experienced blueliners returning to the lineup this season. This year, PC's defensemen will play with improved confidence and skill, which will be useful because they are expected to be more offensive.

The experienced defense will be led by senior Katie Lachapelle (Lewiston, Maine) and juniors Alain Frankiewicz (Houston, Texas), Katherine Cahill (Wethersfield, Conn.) and Stacy Kreger (Indianapolis, Ind.). Lachapelle, who also will play in the forward slot, will need to take a leadership role for the Friars. She is one of the squad's most knowledgeable players, having played in 82 games during her three seasons at PC. Like Lachapelle, Frankiewicz also has seen a considerable amount of action for the Friars. Through her first two years as a Friar, she has tallied four goals and added 13 assists in 62 games. Frankiewicz has worked hard to improve all aspects of her game, including her shot and her quickness. She will be expected to increase her offensive production this season. Cahill showed tremendous improvement during her sophomore season. She recorded a career high eight points (three goals, five assists), playing in 31 games. Cahill demonstrated last season that she has an excellent sense for the game, which makes her an important part of the Friar defensive plans in 1998-99. Kreger is a steady defenseman who brings a consistent work ethic to the ice. She demonstrated offensive ability last season, notching three goals and adding two assists in 32 games. Kreger also is very effective in the corners and in front of the net.

Sophomore Valerie Bono (Woburn, Mass.), one of the team's top defenseman, will play a key role in the Friars' blue line corps in 1998-99. She had a strong freshman season, recording six goals and nine assists in 32 games. With a one of the hardest slap shots in the ECAC, Bono could be become serious offensive threat for the Friars.

The three new faces on defense this season will be freshmen Jennifer Kranz (Waukesha, Wis.), Katie Healy (Rice Lake, Wis) and Kim Mathias (Ballston Lake, N.Y.). Kranz had a productive season in 1997-98 for the Wisconsin Challengers, recording three goals and 24 assists. She has an excellent understanding of the game, but will need a year to prepare for collegiate competition. Healy also will need to use her freshman season to learn the college game and develop as a player. Prior to attending Providence, she played for a strong Minnesota Thoroughbreds squad. Mathias, an excellent skater with a good slap shot, has the skill and ability to help the Friars this season. She comes to Providence after playing for the Lake Placid Rockets. Mathias also gained experience participating in the USA Hockey Junior National Camps in 1997 and 1998.

IN GOAL Returning 2; Lost 2; Newcomers 1

In 1997-98, the young Friar goaltending corps struggled to find consistency throughout the season. However, this season goaltending will be one team's strong points. The goaltending will be bolstered this season due the return of sophomore Sara DeCosta (Warwick, R.I.) from her Olympic experience. During her rookie season with the Friars in 1996-97, DeCosta posted an 18-7-2 mark, a .919 save percentage and a 2.66 goals against average. She took a break from her studies last year and helped the US Women's Olympic Hockey Team capture the gold medal in Nagano, Japan. At the Olympics, DeCosta recorded a 1.59 goals against average and an .875 save percentage against the top teams in the world. She brings a tremendous presence to the ice for the Friars and will help solidify the defense.

Serving as back-up goaltenders this season will be sophomore Heather Wilcox (Fairfield, Conn.) and freshman Brigid Keady (Glencoe, Ill). Wilcox showed dramatic improvement last season and will compete for playing time this season. In addition to posting two shutouts, she registered a .841 save percentage and a 3.81 goals against average. Keady could challenge for the second goaltender position with the Friars. She is an aggressive netminder who has good movement in the crease. Keady will look to gain experience and confidence this season.

WRAP UP

Providence College hockey is one of the top collegiate women's programs in the nation. With six ECAC titles, the Friars have won more league championships than other team. This season, Head Coach Jackie Barto believes the Friars are capable of challenging for their seventh ECAC title. The squad consists of a talented group of experienced players and skilled newcomers. In addition, the return of goaltender Sara DeCosta from the US Olympic Team should give the entire team a competitive edge. The 1998-99 season, could mark the return of the PC Friars to the top of the ECAC.