PROVIDENCE COLLEGE SKATES PAST SYRACUSE, 4-1
Junior Genevieve Lacasse makes 31 saves for Friars

Junior netminder Genevieve Lacasse stopped 31 shots for the Friars

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team defeated host Syracuse University, 4-1, tonight (10/15) at the Tennity Ice Pavilion, its fourth victory in a row. It was a very physical contest, with the teams combining for 19 penalties and one game-misconduct.

The Providence offense, scoring in bunches since the start of the young season, got on the board 5:13 into the second period. Junior Abby Gauthier (Lynn, Mass.) dug the puck out of a scrum in the right corner, and fed classmate Kate Bacon (Chanhassen, Minn.), in stride, as she cut into the slot area. Facing the goalie one-on-one, Bacon buried her sixth goal of the season and fifth in the last three games.

Just 43 seconds later, junior Ashley Cottrell (Sterling Heights, Mich.) wrestled the puck away along the half-boards, wheeled toward the net and fired a wrist-shot into the top right corner for her first of the season. It was 2-0 PC after two periods.

The third period was very wide-open, with both sides earning several quality opportunities. Syracuse cut its deficit to 2-1 at the 2:50 mark when senior Julie Rising skated into the Friar zone with speed, stick handled brilliantly around a Friar defender, and lifted a back-hand into the back of the net.

The Friars' then survived several white-knuckle Orange power-play bids before getting much needed insurance at 16:11. The excitement started when Cottrell broke in on Orange goalie Kallie Billadeau and drilled the freshman in the mask point blank. Moments later, Friar junior Christie Jensen (Delta B.C.) rocketed a slap shot from the point that was deflected home by freshman Corinne Buie (Edina, Minn.) The Friars led 3-1.

After several more Orange chances and some pushing and shoving that earned a game misconduct for Syracuse defenseman Isabel Menard, the Friars sealed the scoring. Junior Lauren Covell (Akron, Ohio) fed sophomore Nicole Anderson (Jordan, Minn.) from behind the net. Anderson redirected home her second goal of the season, rounding out the 4-1 decision.

The game started with a very physical, scoreless first period. The best opportunity for either side in the opening frame belonged to the Orange. Freshman winger Sadie St. Germain received the puck in the slot and quickly fired a wrist shot. Friar goalie Genevieve Lacasse read the play, challenged the shooter and stop the hard bid with her right shoulder. Lacasse finished the game with 31 saves.

The Friars continue their two-game swing through upstate New York tomorrow afternoon (10/16), facing-off at Colgate at 3 p.m. Providence returns home next Friday (10/22), hosting RPI at Schneider Arena at 7 p.m. For tickets and information call the Providence College Ticket Office at (401) 865-GOPC.