University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Drop 4-2 Decision to Providence
2/16/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
STORRS, CT (February 16) – The University of Connecticut women’s ice hockey team dropped a 4-2 ECAC decision to Providence College on Saturday afternoon at the UConn Ice Arena.
With the win, Providence (15-11-3, 9-5-2) takes a five-point lead over in UConn (11-16-2, 7-9-1) in the ECAC Eastern League standings, which helps in the quest for home ice for the Friars in the conference tournament.
After a scoreless and penalty-free first period, Providence held the 10-5 advantage in shots on goal. Providence opened up the second period with a quick goal 25-seconds into play on a shot from Darlene Stephenson. At the midpoint of the period, Connecticut was forced to kill off a 5x3 situation. After killing off the first of two penalties, Jenn Butsch pushed the puck through the five-hold to give the Friars the 2-0 lead. UConn cut the scoring deficit at the 14:16 mark of the middle period. Allison Oropallo (Niskayuna, NY) sent a pass up ice to Kim Berry (Haverhill, MA), who broke past the Friar defense for the score.
Rush Zimmerman scored two goals in the middle of the third period to put Providence ahead, 4-1. At the 8:37 mark, Zimmerman shot in a rebounded save through the legs of UConn goalie Shannon Murphy (Mapleville, RI). Her second goal, also off a rebounded shot pushed back through the legs of Murphy, was scored 1:48 later. Connecticut’s Erika Spaeth (Dallas, TX) gave the Huskies a little help when she nailed a shot directly from in front of the Friar net.
Murphy stopped 30 Providence shots on goal, while Amy Quinlan recorded 16 saves for the Friars. Providence out shot UConn, 34-18.
Connecticut and Providence will meet again on Sunday at 2:00 pm at Schneider Arena in Providence, RI.
