PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team posted a 1-0 win over the University of Connecticut Huskies on Sunday, Jan. 26 at Schneider Arena. The Friars improve to 11-16-0 on the season and 6-8-0 against Hockey East opponents.
Neither team could break through during the first twenty minutes of the game. The Friars penalty kill proved to be vital as the team killed off three penalties, including two separate 5-on-3 disadvantages for :28 and 1:16 to keep the game scoreless after the first period. Providence recorded 13 shots on goal in the first as compared to the Huskies four.
The score was tilted in the Friars favor after the second period, a result of sophomore Lexi Romanchuk's (San Jose, Calif.) third goal of the season, and the eventual game-winner. Romanchuk rushed up the ice through the neutral zone after being set-up by sophomores Brittney Thunstrom (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and Courtney Kukowski (Apple Valley, Minn.). As Romanchuk gained the offensive zone, she fired a long shot on Huskies goaltender Elaine Chuli, who made the original save but let out a rebound. Romanchuk beat out the Connecticut defenders to follow up on her own rebound and sent a shot that trickled past Chuli to give the Friars a 1-0 lead at 5:21 of the second period.
Providence's defense in the third was the difference maker as the team limited Connecticut from getting a shot on goal in the final twenty minutes of play. The Friars bested their previous season record of fewest shots against in a game as they held Connecticut to eight shots on goal. Previously, the Friars held New Hampshire to 16 shots on Jan. 11.
The Friars recorded 31 shots on goal in the game, including 13 shots in both the first and second periods.
Sophomore goaltender Sarah Bryant (Bethlehem, Pa.) earned her third career shutout in the win for the Friars. Bryant stopped all eight Connecticut shots she faced. The last time Providence shutout an opponent was on Feb. 1, 2013 in a 5-0 win over Connecticut, also with Bryant in net.
Chuli had a strong game in net as she made 30 saves, only allowing Romanchuk's second period tally.
The Friars will play the final game in their season series against Boston College on Saturday, Feb. 1. The match-up is set for 2:00 p.m. at Kelley Rink in Chestnut Hill, Mass.