Former Providence head coach Jackie Barto returned to Schneider Arena Sunday, leading her new team, Ohio State, to a 4-3 victory.
Barto, who coached at PC from 1994-1998, got two goals from sophomore defenseman Emma Laaksonen, including the game-winner to lift the Buckeyes to their third straight victory.
The Friars opened the scoring in the first period as freshman forward Carrie Holldorf scored at the 13:07 mark, but the Buckeyes tied the game at 1-1 as sophomore Jeanne Chapple scored with 20 seconds remaining in the first period.
The Friars regained the lead just 21 seconds into the second frame on junior forward Jenn Butch’s team-leading fifth goal of the season, but again the Buckeyes rallied as Laaksonen scored the first of her two goals at 6:49.
OSU took the lead for good as freshman Jeni Creary scored her 12th goal of the season at the 11:14 mark of the second period.
The Friars outshot the Buckeyes 27-16. OSU’s Melissa Glaser finished with 24 saves, while PC’s Amy Quinlan and Amy Thomas combined to make 12 saves.
The Friars fell to 3-5-2, 1-2-1 ECAC East while the Buckeyes improved to 5-5-2, 2-4-2 WCHA.
