Providence, R.I. - The Providence College women's ice hockey team earned a 5-3, exhibition victory Saturday, September 24 over visiting McGill University at Schneider Arena. Friar freshman Haley Frade (Marion, Mass.) capitalized on her first collegiate action with two goals, while senior Ashley Cottrell chipped in a score and an assist.
The newcomer helped the Friars break through early. Just under four minutes into the first period, senior defenseman Jennifer Friedman (San Gabriel, Calif.) broke up the Martlets in the neutral zone. The veteran then sent Frade away along the left wing. The winger, with room to work, brought the puck in front of the net and beat the goalie, top shelf, for a 1-0 Friar lead.
McGill answered later in the opening period, courtesy a 2-on-1 break. Sophomore forward Kim Ton-That, skating on the right wing, fed senior Jordanna Peroff who redirected the puck home for the 1-1 score heading into the first intermission .
The teams traded power play strikes in the middle period. Providence took a 2-1 advantage at the 3:41 mark when junior Jessica Vella (Pickering, Ontario) blasted back a rebound from the left circle. Just under five minutes later, McGill converted with its skater advantage, as Peroff lifted home a rebound during a scramble in front for her second of the game.
The decisive period was the third. At the 8:42 mark, Cottrell (Sterling Heights, Mich.) gave the hosts the go-ahead goal, again, on the power play After McGill captain Cathy Chartrand knotted the score at 3-3, Frade contributed her second of the game. This time, the freshman collected a sharp centering pass from Cottrell and deposited the eventual game-winner from the right side of the crease.
Providence would add an empty-netter with just four tenths of a second remaining in regulation, with senior Kate Bacon (Chanhassen, Minn.) collecting the honors.
Friar sophomore goaltender Nina Riley (Lexington, Mass.) recorded 16 saves for the win, her first collegiate "w." McGill's Taylor Salisbury stopped 40 shots.
The Friars open the regular season next Friday and Saturday, September 30 and October 1, with a pair of games at Bemidji State in Bemidji, Minn. The team returns home to Schneider Arena on October 15 when Mercyhurst comes to town. Face-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. and tickets are available by calling (402) 865 GOPC.