PROVIDENCE SHUTS OUT VERMONT, 3-0
Jennifer Friedman scores twice for Friars

Amber Yung had an assist for the Friars

Providence, R.I. (January 17, 2009) - The Providence College women's hockey team shutout Vermont, 3-0, to earn their fifth-straight conference victory and are now undefeated in the last seven Hockey East games dating back to October 26. Freshman Jennifer Friedman (San Gabriel, Calif.) notched two goals while classmate Genevieve Lacasse (Scarborough, Ontario) earned her fourth shutout of the season, the most by a PC freshman since Jana Bugden recorded seven in 2002-03. The Friars now stand at 12-9-2 (7-2-1 HE) while Vermont falls to 4-18-1 (1-8-1 HE).

Providence utilized the explosive freshmen class to earn their seventh Hockey East victory this season as the class of 2012 generaated five points on three goals and two assists while Lacasse stopped 16 shots to earn the shutout.

The Friars put pressure on the Catamounts early on by winning four of the first five face-offs and recording the first five shots of the game but neither team was able to generate any quality scoring chances in the first 20 minutes. The two teams went into the locker room tied, 0-0, after one period with providence ahead, 6-5, in shots.

PC scored the game-winning power-play goal at 3:46 of the second after Amber Yung (Rockville, Va.) sent a pass from the right boards to a streaking Ashley Cottrell (Sterling Heights, Mich.) at center ice. Cottrell outraced the Vermont defense before lifting the puck just underneath the crossbar for her fourth goal of the season. Yung registered her fifth assist on the play.

Providence would double their lead at 10:24 with the help of a trio of freshmen. Laura Veharanta (La Verne, Calif.) won a battle for the puck on the left boards in the Vermont zone and cycled the puck towards the goal line to Cottrell. Cottrell sent a pass to the blue line where Friedman was waiting to unleash a slap shot that found the top right corner for her second goal of the season. Veharanta and Cottrell earned their 12th and 14th assists of the season, respectively.

Vermont would see their best chance of the game smothered by Lacasse at 15:00 in the second period. Vermont's Peggy Wakeham sent a shot towards the net from the right face-off circle. The initial save bounced towards the slot but Lacasse stepped up to cut off the angle and deny Teddy Fortin at the doorstep. The third period would end with Providence up, 2-0, with Vermont ahead in shots, 13-12.

The Friars came out in the third and added an insurance tally just 34 seconds in on Friedman's second of the game. Friedman set up on the blue line again as Alyse Ruff (Tualatin, Ore.) fed the freshman from the right boards. Friedman's blast once again found the top right corner to close out the scoring. Ruff registered her fifth assist while captain Brittany Simpson (Barrie, Ontario) also earned a helper on the play. Simpson nearly added to the PC advantage at 9:15 but her shot from the high slot rang off the post.

Lacasse finished the game with 16 saves and improves to 10-6 while Vermont's Olychuck stopped 15 shots and falls to 2-12-1.

The two teams will finish the season series tomorrow in Schneider Arena with game-time scheduled for 2:00 p.m.