HAMILTON, N.Y. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team won a thrilling overtime decision over host Colgate Saturday (10/16), 2-1. Senior Co-Captain Alyse Ruff (Tualatin, Ore.) converted the game-winner with just 1:18 to play in the extra session. The play was set up when junior Kate Bacon (Chanhassen, Minn.) earned possession behind the Raider goal and sent the puck back to the point. Junior Jen Friedman (San Gabriel, Calif.) noticed Ruff in the slot and fed the captain, who banged home her third of the young season.
Tenth-ranked Providence (5-1) now boasts a 5-game winning streak.
The Friars trailed, 1-0, for much of the hockey game. It was not until 8:14 of the third that PC's Nicole Anderson (Jordan, Minn.) broke through on the power play. Friedman found classmate Ashley Cottrell (Sterling Heights, Mich.) at the left face-off dot. Cottrell crossed the puck to Anderson, who stood to the right of the goal. The sophomore turned a one-timer into the back of the night, tying the contest, 1-1.
For the first time this season, the Friars trailed after the first period. At the 16:15 mark of the opening period, with the final seconds ticking down on a Colgate power play, Raider defenseman Amanda Kirwin wristed a shot from the high slot. The puck was deflected into the back of the net by the long reach of 6-foot forward Rachel Walsh for a 1-0 Raider edge.
Neither team converted in the middle period, though both teams had quality opportunities. Perhaps the best bid for Providence came midway through the second, when sophomore Emily Groth (Monona, Wisc.) collected a feed from Anderson in the slot, turned and was robbed point blank by a brilliant lunging stop by Raider goalie Lisa Plenderleith.
Friar netminder Genevieve Lacasse made 30 saves in the effort. Also of note, Friedman now has nine assists through five games.
The Friars return to Schneider Arena on Friday (10/22) to welcome RPI. Face-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the PC Ticket Office at (401) 865-GOPC.
Before Friday's contest, the Friars will present a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The team raised money for the charity with its first annual Road Hockey Rumble, a street hockey tournament for the Providence College community held last month.