ORONO, Maine — The University of Maine women’s ice hockey team fell 3-1 to Providence College on Friday, Oct. 30, at 6 p.m., as the Black Bears looked to earn a key victory and build momentum as the season continued.
Maine battled the Friars throughout the matchup, looking to establish its offensive presence while maintaining a strong defensive effort. The game featured opportunities for both teams, with the Black Bears working to generate scoring chances and capitalize on special-teams opportunities.
The Black Bears fell behind in the first period when fourth-year forward Audrey Knapp opened the scoring on a 5-on-3 power play at the 9:26 mark to establish a three-game scoring streak, assisted by third-year defenseman Hannah Clarke. Maine recorded eight shots on goal in the opening period, while Providence finished with 11. The teams combined for 19 shots in the first 20 minutes, but only one got the puck in the net.
Maine continued to battle in the second period but couldn’t keep up with the Friars’ offense. Scoring remained quiet until the end of the second period, when second-year forward Sami Snyder added another goal for Providence at the 1:40 mark, assisted by fourth-year forward Kiara Kraft, doubling the Friars’ lead against the quiet Maine offense.
In the third period, Maine looked to come back from a 2-0 deficit, relying on its defense and goaltending while continuing to search for scoring opportunities. Second-year forward Gracie Hanson got the momentum going with a power-play goal at the 3:14 mark, assisted by second-year defenseman Sade Sandilands, getting the Black Bears on the board and scoring her first goal of the season. Providence responded at the 13:03 mark with an insurance goal by first-year forward Cameryn Shiels, assisted by first-year forward Grace Van Volsen and first-year forward Mackenzie Riches, to close out the scoring. This was Shiels’ first collegiate goal and Riches’ first collegiate assist.
Maine finished the game with 36 shots on goal, compared with Providence’s 21, and won 35-19 in faceoffs. Both teams capitalized on a power-play opportunity, with Providence’s goal coming in the first period and Maine’s in the third. The win for the Friars brought their record to 4-5-0 overall and 2-1-0 in Hockey East, while the Black Bears fell to 3-6-0 overall and 0-1-0 in Hockey East play.
In net, second-year goaltender Kiia Lahtinen recorded 18 saves for the Black Bears, helping Maine manage Providence’s offensive pressure throughout the matchup. For the Friars, second-year goaltender Mallory Hartl was locked down in net with 35 saves.
The Border Battle is set for Friday, Dec. 4, as the Black Bears look to break the Hockey East attendance record. The record was set last year when Boston University and Boston College faced off on Nov. 14, bringing in 3,965 fans. Support UMaine women’s hockey as the team attempts to take down the University of New Hampshire.
The Black Bears will look to build on Friday’s performance as they continue their schedule. The matchup against Providence provides Maine with another opportunity to improve its consistency, generate offense and compete against a Hockey East opponent.
