Providence, R.I. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team began the second half of the 2006-2007 season with a 3-1 victory over Cornell Tuesday night at Schneider Arena. With the victory, the Friars improved to 8-8-3 overall, while Cornell fell to 2-12-1.

The Friars, who were playing their first game after a 23-day layoff, fell behind, 1-0, 54 seconds into the second period. Molly McDonald scored her first goal of the season, an unassisted tally as the Big Red jumped ahead. However, the Friars quickly responded at 3:33 as they converted on the power-play. Senior Sonny Watrous (Albuquerque, N.M.) slipped a pass in front to sophomore Mari Pehkonen (Tampere, Finland) who tapped the puck into the empty net. Junior Rachel Crissy (Naperville, Ill.) was credited with the second assist on the play. PC again took advantage of the power play late in the period to take the lead for good. Junior Sarah Feldman (Fall River, Mass.) found an opening at the bottom of the left face off circle and fired a wrist shot past Cornell goalie Beth Baronick at 19:47. Watrous and sophomore Erin Normore (Cambridge, Ontario) assisted on the goal.

Freshman Brittany Nelson (Shelburne, Vt.) gave PC a two-goal cushion at the 15:30 mark of the third period. Junior Jenna Keilch (Clinton Township, Mich.) played a pass in front to Nelson who tucked the puck into the net for her second tally of the season.

In goal, senior Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) stopped 20 shots to earn fourth win of the season, while Baronick made 25 saves.

Providence will hit the road this weekend for a HOCKEY EAST game versus the University of Vermont. The Friars will play the Catamounts on Saturday, January 6. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. start, and it will be played at the Gutterson Fieldhouse.