Jan. 20, 2008

Box Score

Providence, R.I. - The Boston University women's ice hockey team fell 3-1 at Providence Sunday, dropping its second game of the weekend. Freshman Jillian Kirchner was responsible for the Terriers' lone goal, while junior Allyse Wilcox made 33 saves between the pipes.

Throughout the first period, Boston University had trouble clearing the puck out of its own territory. The Providence defenders consistently intercepted Terrier passes out of the zone, keeping the pressure on Wilcox and the BU blue-line while posting 13 shots in the period.

The Terriers could not find passing consistency in the opening minutes of the second period either, as the team placed only one shot on goal during a power play, spending much of the time defending in their own zone.

Despite a five-on-three advantage in the opening minutes of the third period, the Friars held BU scoreless in the final frame to take the game, stopping the Terriers' seven shots in the period.

Providence got on the board first, as senior Kathleen Smith shot a one-timer off a pass from junior Katy Beach into net just over Wilcox's glove at 11:45 of the first period.

The Terriers evened the score with 2:45 to go in the first period, as junior Caroline Bourdeau found Kirchner open, who then sent a shot to the netminder's right side and into goal. The score gave Kirchner her 10th point in the last six games (2g, 8a).

Sophomore Melissa Anderson almost pulled the Terriers ahead 5:14 into the second period, winning the puck at center ice and then taking a breakaway towards goal. However, Providence defender Colleen Martin caught up with Anderson just a few feet from goal and disrupted the play, earning a checking penalty in the action.

Kirchner had another scoring opportunity just moments later, while BU was on the power play. The forward took a shot from the bottom of the right circle, blasting it towards the upper-right corner of goal. However, the Friars' netminder gloved the puck in a quick arc.

The Friars once again gained the lead while on the power play at 15:53 of the second period, as ¬¬senior Danielle Tangredi rebounded her own shot off Wilcox's pads and snuck another shot in behind the goaltender.

Providence junior Erin Normore almost added another tally for the Friars around six minutes into the third period, rocketing the puck from just inside the blue line. Luckily, the shot bounced harmlessly off the crossbar, keeping the Terriers within striking distance.

The margin would not hold, though, as Smith scored again from the top of the zone off assists from Beach and senior Sarah Feldman at 11:58 of the second period to bring the score to 3-1.

Two Providence penalties within the minute following the goal gave the Terriers a five-on-three advantage for nearly two minutes, opening the door to close the deficit. However, the Terriers could not capitalize, missing several opportunities. Both junior co-captain Gina Kearns and Kirchner had open looks at goal but were unable to nail their shots.

Next weekend, the Terriers will host Maine for a pair of games, including the first ever appearance in Agganis Arena for the women's team on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday's game will be held at Walter Brown Arena at 3:00 p.m.