CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - Junior Blake Bolden delivered the third straight goal by the fourth-ranked Boston College women's ice hockey team and the Eagles (17-6-2, 10-2-2) held on for the 3-2 win over Providence on Friday night at Kelley Rink.
Junior goalkeeper Corinne Boyles (17-6-2) made 27 saves to help the Eagles temporarily move into sole possession of first place in the league standing with 20 points. The Friars fell to 9-14-33, 6-6-1 Hockey East despite 33 saves from Genevieve Lacasse.
The Eagles outshot the Friars, 9-6, in the first period, but senior right-wing Laura Veharanta got the opening goal for Providence at 7:21. A body-checking whistle followed a hooking call by 10 seconds, awarding PC a 5-on-3 that enabled sophomore center Rebecca Morse to find senior defender Jennifer Friedman for a powerful rip from the left point. The rebound that ensued landed perfectly for Veharanta who finished from the right circle.
Boston College fought to find the equalizer for nearly 20 minutes and at 9:20 in the second senior captain Mary Restuccia provided her third goal of the year to even the game, 1-1. Sophomore defenseman Meagan Mangene hit junior forward Ashley Motherwell for a quality chance from the top of the point. Restuccia scooped the loose puck and found the back of the net for the Eagles lone power play goal in six opportunities.
The second period ended with BC being called for elbowing, but a muffed pass by the Friars in their offensive provided the Eagles the go-ahead goal, 2-1. Freshman center Alex Carpenter touched puck forward to classmate Emily Field moving quickly to transition. Field was alone with Lacasse, but opted for the back-handed pass to her line mate just outside the crease for the Eagles' fourth short-handed goal of the year at 1:50 in the third.
At the nine minute mark, Providence nearly scored on a play exactly like the Eagles had capitalized on earlier in the period, but Boyles prevented the breakaway with a kick save off her right pad to preserve the lead.
Bolden provided BC with the eventual game-winner at 15:23. The defenseman secured the puck behind BC's goal and stick-handled end line to end line before beating Lacasse over the right shoulder for her 45th career goal.
Seventeen seconds later, Haley Frade deflected a shot from Friedman to lift Providence within one, 3-2, but Boston College secured home ice.
The Eagles travel to Connecticut on Sunday for a 2 p.m. meeting. Live stats and video will be available through uconnhuskies.com.