Women's Hockey Tops Niagara, 6-4

Jan. 7, 2006

PROVIDENCE R.I. -- The Providence College women's ice hockey team topped Niagara University, 6-4, on Saturday, January 7 at Schneider Arena in Providence, R.I. Senior Ashley Payton (Chesterfield, Mo.) posted her third game-winner of the season in the third period. With the win, Providence improves to 11-6-2 overall.

Senior Katelynn Laffin (Norwell, Mass.) opened up the scoreboard with her sixth goal of the season at 3:13 of the first period. Junior Kristin Gigliotti (Sauquoit, N.Y.) earned her 13th assist of the season while freshman Meredith George (Westwood, Mass.) earned her first career assist on the play. At the 11:00 mark, the Friar firsts continued when freshman Brittany Simpson (Ontario, Canada) netted her first collegiate goal with assists from senior Karen Thatcher (Douglas, Mass.) and sophomore Kathleen Smith (Waterloo, Ontario). The Purple Eagles responded when senior Amy Jack scored her fifth goal of the season at 15:06 on the power play with assists from junior Candace Boyles and senior Jessica Clermont. Niagara continued to rally back with a goal at 16:01 and knotted the score, 2-2. Junior Michelle Del Monte assisted sophomore Lisa Agozzino for her fourth goal of the season.

The Friar firsts continued when freshman Stephanie Morris (South Burlington, Vt.) scored her first collegiate goal at 16:58 of the second period. Providence went up, 3-2, going into the third period.

Sophomore Charde Hoyle-Levy scored her fourth goal of the season on a power play goal. Freshman Melanie Mills and Jack assisted on the play. PC's Smith cashed in on her first career short-hander at 8:04. A little over a minute later, Clermont netted her first goal of the season that tied the game for the third time, 4-4, at 9:11. Mills was credited with the assist on the play.

At 14:55, Payton scored her third game-winner of the season. George was credited with her second assist, while Thatcher earned her 16th. At 18:19, Niagara emptied the net which allowed for Thatcher to scored her 10th goal of the season at 18:33.

The Friars went 0-for-7 on the power play, while going 5-for-7 on the penalty kill. Allison Rutledge posted a game-high 43 saves in net for the Purple Eagles, while senior captain Jana Bugden (Corner Brook, Newfoundland) recorded 23 saves. The Friars will host sixth-ranked Mercyhurst on Sunday, January 8 at Schneider Arena at 1:00 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

Jana Bugden

Meredith George

Kristin Gigliotti

Stephanie Morris

Brittany Simpson

Kathleen Smith

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