BOSTON - Freshman forward Katie MacSorley recorded her first collegiate hat trick to pace the Huskies past Providence, 5-1, on Sunday afternoon at Matthews Arena.
MacSorley had a career day, as she also contributed assists for the other two goals scored by Claire Santostefano, who had four points (2-2-4) on the afternoon. Dani Rylan added a pair of assists as well; the line of Rylan, Santostefano and MacSorley combined for all 11 points the Huskies registered.
Providence struck first at the 6:24 mark of the first period when Ashley Cottrell positioned herself on the left post and shot the puck into an open net for the 1-0 lead.
The Huskies responded with 50 seconds remaining in the first period. Rylan streaked down the left wing and delivered a saucer pass to MacSorley, who ripped it past Genevieve Lacasse (40 saves) to knot the score at 1-1.
MacSorley slotted home her second goal of the evening at the 5:44 juncture of the second stanza. Rylan was tripped as she entered the offensive end, but was able to slide the puck to Santostefano, who then chipped the puck over a defender's stick to MacSorley who buried it for the 2-1 lead.
MacSorley continued to be involved in the offense as her shot led to the Huskies' third goal. MacSorley blasted a puck from the right point and Santostefano, positioned between the two circles, deftly redirected the puck past Lacasse.
MacSorley completed her hat trick at the 13:32 mark of the third when once again Santostefano found her open for an easy finish. Santostefano rounded out the scoring with 1:31 left in the game when MacSorley capitalized on a Lacasse turnover behind the Providence net and fed it to Santostefano who lit the lamp with her fourth goal of the season.
Hidden in the offensive onslaught was a fantastic performance from Florence Schelling, who made 33 saves to preserve the win. In four of her last five starts at home, Schelling has allowed just one goal per contest.
The Huskies will hope to ride the momentum of today's win into next Sunday's matchup with the Brown Bears on Nov. 28. The puck is scheduled to drop at 2 p.m. at Matthews Arena.
For those that can't make it to Matthews Arena, visit GoNU.TV. Channel 81 on HuskyCable is available to Northeastern students in on-campus residence halls and any other TV location on the Northeastern campus. Channel 81 broadcasts all events at Matthews Arena LIVE!