Providence, R.I. - The women's ice hockey team defeated the Black Bears of Maine, 7-2 on Saturday afternoon at Schneider Arena. Freshman Alyse Ruff (Tualatin, Ore.) scored twice for the Friars as did classmate Jean O'Neill (Strafford, Pa.), who also added an assist. With the win, Providence improves to to 5-6-2 (3-2-1 HOCKEY EAST), while Maine falls to 1-13-2 (0-5-2 HE) on the season.
Ruff (Taulatin, Ore.) got the Friars on the board late in the first period when, at the 17:43 mark, she put a rebound past Maine goaltender Genevieve Turgeon. The goal, which came on a PC power-play, was assisted by Amber Yung (Rockville, Va.) and Erin Normore (Cambridge, Ont.).
Ruff netted her second of the game at 4:48 of the second period while on the power-play once again. Yung was credited with an assist, as was Jackie Duncan (Hudson, Quebec). Katy Beach (Cleveland, Ohio) scored next for the Friars, with assists going to O'Neill and Yung. O'Neill then scored an unassisted goal at the 11:32 mark. Maine closed out the scoring in the second period when Abby Barton got the Black Bears on the board at 11:45.
In the third period, O'Neill notched her second of the game off of a pass from Colleen Martin (Woburn, Mass.). Brittany Simpson (Barrie, Ontario) scored PC's third power-play goal of the game at the 8:46 mark, with an assist going to Mari Pehkonen. Jennie Gallo scored for Maine at 15:45, but then Cherie Hendrickson (Boxford, Mass.) closed out the scoring at 18:12 to make the score 7-2 in favor of the Friars. Hendrickson's goal, which came off of a rebound chance in front, was assisted by seniors Jenna Keilch (Clinton Twonship, Mich.) and Rachel Crissy (Naperville, Ill.).
In net, junior Danielle Ciarletta (Blaine, Minn.) finished with 17 saves while Turgeon made 58 saves for the Black Bears.
The Friars return to action tomorrow when they host Maine for the second straight day. The game will begin at 2:00 p.m. at Schneider Arena on the campus of Providence College.