Keyed by three straight goals in the first 13 minutes of the game, Providence rolled on to defeat eighth-ranked Niagara, 6-2, on Saturday at Schneider Arena.
The Friars, who had not scored a goal in the two previous meetings (3-0, 5-0 losses) this season against Niagara’s goaltender Tania Pinelli, jumped to an early 1-0 lead as senior forward Beth Wolff skated in alone against Pinelli and scored on a high wrist shot for her first tally of the season. Freshman defenseman Mara Amrhein was credited with the assist as she collected her first collegiate point.
Sophomore forward Sarah Youlen made it 2-0 at the 10:54 mark of the first period, scoring off an assist from senior forward Jackie Tamsin. Junior forward Danielle Culgin scored what proved to be the game-winner on the power play at the 12:32 mark.
Niagara pulled within 3-1 at the 14:24 mark as freshman forward Teresa Del Monte scored on the Purple Eagles’ first shot of the game.
Providence struck early in the second period when junior forward Jenn Butsch tallied her team-leading seventh goal of the season at the 3:18 mark. Freshman Hilary Greaves put the Friars ahead 5-1 as she scored her fourth goal of the season. Greaves has scored a goal in three straight games.
Niagara’s senior forward Brooke Bradburn scored a power-play goal that cut the lead to 5-2 with 53 seconds remaining in the second period. The Purple Eagles could not get any closer as Culgin capped off the scoring with her second goal of the game at the 8:10 mark of the third.
Greaves finished with one goal and two assists, while sophomore defenseman Kelli Halcisak posted three assists for the Friars. Senior forward Kim Mathias added two assists in the win.
Providence outshot Niagara, 31-21. Pinelli made 25 saves in the loss, while PC’s Amy Thomas made 19 saves to earn her third victory of the season.
With the win, the Friars improved to 5-7-2 overall, 2-4-1 in ECAC Eastern League play. The Purple Eagles fell to 11-4-0 overall, 8-3-0 ECAC Eastern League.
