ORONO, Maine- The University of Maine defeated Providence College 1-0 in the 8th Annual Skating Strides game on Sunday at Alfond Arena. Sophomore Audra Richards (Maplewodd, Minn) scored Maine's game winning goal.
The Black Bears played with a fierce intensity from the drop of the puck to record their first America East win of season. Karissa Kirkup (Virden, Manitoba) passed the puck to Richards for Maine's winning goal at 19:00 in the first period. Richards was trailed by a Providence player and slid the puck past Providence's goaltender. Maine defense fought off Providence in the second period allowing the Friars only six shots while the Black Bears had nine. Both teams were 0-1 on the power play in the second period. With Maine's Bears continuing their crisp play, the Friars pulled their goalie Sarah Bryant late in the third in an attempt to tie the contest.
Providence outshot Maine 11-6 in the third period but couldn't get the puck by Maine goalie Meghann Treacy (Lake Peekskill, N.Y.). Providence was 0-2 on the power play in the third period.
Treacy had 27 stops while Providence goalie Sarah Brynat stopped 22.
Maine moves to a 3-14-5 on the season Providence falls to a 10-15-0.
Maine travels to Northeastern for a two game series on Jan 24th and 25th.