Providence, R.I. (November 26, 2006) - The Providence College women’s ice hockey team shutout the Purple Eagles of Niagara, 4-0 on Sunday, November 26 at Schnedier Arena. Sophomore Mari Pehkonen (Tampere, Finland) scored twice for the Friars in the win. With the victory, the Friars improve their overall record to 5-6-3. Niagara falls to 4-7-3 on the season.

Providence took the puck off the first face-off and immediately lit up the scoreboard. Pehkonen scored 21 seconds into the game off of passes from junior Sarah Feldman (Fall River, Mass.) and sophomore Katy Beach (Cleveland, Ohio), who won the face-off. The game remained at 1-0 the entire first period thanks to magnificent saves by sophomore Danielle Ciarletta (Blaine, Minn.). Ciarletta made all 14 saves in the first to keep the lead at one.

Midway through the second period the Friars would increase their lead. Sophomore Erin Normore (Cambridge, Ont.) took a Jackie Duncan (Hudson, Que.) pass and fired the puck into the back of the net. For Duncan, the assist was her first career point but she was not done. 14 seconds later, Pehkonen tallied her second goal of the game on a breakaway. She now has six goals on the season. Ciarletta was steady in the second stopping all seven of Niagara’s shots.

Providence would take a 4-0 lead on freshman Brittany Nelson’s (Shelburne, Vt.) first career goal at 2:14. Duncan was credited with her second career assist and second of the game. Ciarletta would hold off the Purple Eagles the rest of the way to earn her second career shutout and first with the Friars.

Providence will resume HOCKEY EAST action at Schneider Arena on Saturday, December 2 welcoming Boston University for a 2:00 p.m. face-off.