By Jacob Posik
ORONO, Maine – The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team defeated the Providence College Friars by a score of 1-0 Sunday afternoon thanks to sophomore forward Audra Richards’ first period tally.
The game wrapped up the season series between the teams. Having lost to Providence in the two prior matchups by scores of 8-1 and 4-2, this victory was especially sweet for the Black Bears. The win also came on the 8th annual Hockey East Skating Strides game to help fight breast cancer. UMaine moves to 3-14-5 overall and 1-8-3 in conference with the win, while Providence falls to 10-15-0, 5-7 against Hockey East opponents.
The only goal of the game came at the 19-minute mark of the first period. Richards forced a turnover that turned into a breakaway at the other end. She was able to snipe the puck passed Providence sophomore netminder Sarah Bryant high on the glove side for the eventual game-winner.
“I was just trying to make a play and get my teammates involved,” Richards said. “It felt great when I saw it go into the net.”
The second period was scoreless, with the Black Bears outshooting Providence 9-6 in the period. UMaine had a great opportunity to score midway through the period on a second breakaway attempt, but Bryant thwarted the opportunity to keep the Friars within one.
Providence’s best scoring chance of the afternoon came in the middle period when junior forward Beth Hanrahan stole the puck in the offensive zone, spun and sent a shot at UMaine sophomore goaltender Meghann Treacy. The puck clapped off the crossbar to preserve the shutout.
The game remained close and competitive throughout the final period, but Providence wasn’t able to sneak the puck past Treacy. Bryant was pulled with two minutes remaining in regulation but could not beat Treacy despite having the extra attacker.
Treacy stopped all 27 shots she faced in the victory to clinch UMaine’s first shutout this season.
“She’s playing well,” UMaine coach Richard Reichenbach said. “She’s getting confident in net, and her play is a result of that.”
The Black Bears return to action Jan. 24-25 for a two-game set against Northeastern University in Boston. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
Providence has a two-game set of their own against the University of Connecticut that begins Jan. 26.