PROVIDENCE SKATES PAST NORTHEASTERN, 5-1
Sarah Feldman scores goal, adds two assists

The Northeastern women's hockey team dropped its fifth consecutive game to open the season, allowing four power-play goals in falling, 5-1, to Providence on Saturday afternoon in a Hockey East matchup at Matthews Arena.

For the second consecutive game against the Friars, Northeastern came out flat in the opening period and allowed Providence to open up a commanding lead. At the 6:34 mark, Providence's Katy Beach scored her second goal of the season on the power play to give the Friars an early lead. Less than three minutes later, Mari Pehkonen increased the lead to two with another power-play tally. After teammates Kristen Gigliotti and Sonny Watrous attempted to jam the puck past NU sophomore goaltender Stacey Scott from close range, Pehkonen swooped in to pick up the puck and get the goal.

Providence was not done, however, as the team also received first-period goals from Erin Normore and Sarah Feldman to build up a four-goal advantage before the first period had ended. Feldman's tally, which also came on the power play, came after Scott had been replaced by junior netminder Sarah Belliveau.

Northeastern's best chance of the period came after a huge defensive lapse by the Friars allowed the Huskies to come in three-on-none against Friar goaltender Jana Bugden. The senior was up to the task, however, stoning freshman Ginny Berg on the doorstep.

Providence continued to pressure the Huskies in the second period, as Pehkonen scored her team's fifth goal at the 7:02 mark off a pass from Gigliotti.

Through two periods, the Friars dominated the Huskies, holding a commanding 26-9 shot advantage and scoring on 4-of-7 power-play opportunities.

Northeastern came back to dominate play in the final period, but it simply wasn't enough. Freshman Chelsey Jones helped avert the shutout with her team-high third goal of the season, which came at the 2:44 mark off of passes by senior captain Amy Goodney and freshman Lindsay Berman. The Huskies were able to control the puck for the majority of the period, holding a 19-7 shot advantage in the final 20 minutes and keeping the Friar defense constantly on its heels.

Bugden played well for the Friars in earning the victory, making 27 saves - including 18 in the third period. Scott got the loss for the Huskies, giving up three goals on 11 shots in 11:52 of action. Belliveau played well in relief, giving up two goals on 22 shots over the final 48:08.

The Huskies will return to action tomorrow afternoon, when the team hosts the Maine Black Bears at Matthews Arena. The opening face off is set for 2 p.m.