ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's ice hockey team fell to #8/9 Providence College in a Women's Hockey East contest Sunday evening by the score of 2-1. The loss drops Maine to 8-8-4 overall and 2-4-2 in WHEA play while Providence moves to 14-5-1 and 5-2-1 in league play. Dominique Goutsis (Coquitlam, British Columbia) had the lone goal for the Black Bears.
Providence struck first when Corinne Buie scored 8:05 into the first period, tallying her seventh goal of the season. Jennifer Friedman started the play as she chipped a pass out of the Providence zone to center ice where Jean O'Neill picked up the bouncing puck. O'Neill carried the puck all the way to the Maine goal line before flicking a pass back to Buie. Buie skated in and snuck the puck past Maine goaltender Brittany Ott (St. Clair Shores, Mich.) who had the post hugged tight.
The Friars took a 2-0 lead 3:56 into the second period. Jessica Cohen controlled the puck in the left circle in the Maine zone. Cohen would send a pass back to the blue line where Friedman was waiting. Friedman would gather the puck and skate to the middle of the blue line before blasting a slapshot into the back of the net.
The Black Bears would cut the Providence lead in half on Goutsis' fourth goal of the season. While skating with the man-advantage, Melissa Gagnon (St. Gilles, Quebec) controlled the puck in the slot and sent a shot at Providence goaltender Christine England. England made the save but the rebound popped out front to Goutsis who punched the puck home. Chloe Tinkler (Wabush, Newfoundland) also assisted on the play for Maine.
The Black Bears would have an opportunity late when they went on the power play with 3:49 remaining but could not capitalize, dropping the WHEA matchup, 2-1.
Ott was solid all night in net for Maine, making many top notch saves to keep the game close. She ended the game with 29 saves as her record slips to 6-7-3 on the season. England picked up her first win after making 12 saves for Providence.
Providence outshot Maine 31-13. The Black Bears were 1-7 on the power play and killed off all seven of the Friars' man-advantages.
The two teams finish up the series tomorrow afternoon from Alfond Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 3 p.m.