Upcoming Event: Women's Ice Hockey versus Sacred Heart University (Exhibition) on September 27, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Women's Ice Hockey
vs Sacred Heart University (Exhibition)
3:00 PM
Providence College Athletics
Friday, October 18
Providence, R.I.
2:00 PM
Providence College
vs
University of Connecticut
Photo by: Brian Foley for Foley-Photograph
Women’s Hockey Prepares To Host No. 8/9 UConn
10/16/2024 4:15:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
The Friars are currently 4-2-0 overall and 1-1-0 in Hockey East.
GAME INFORMATION VS. UCONN | OCTOBER 18 | SCHNEIDER ARENA | PROVIDENCE, R.I. | 2:00 PM
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence College women's hockey will face the No. 8/9 UConn Huskies this weekend for a single game. The matchup is set for Friday, Oct. 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Schneider Arena.
Scouting the Friars
Providence holds a 4-2-0 overall record and is 1-1-0 in Hockey East play. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Friars rallied to defeat No. 10/11 Quinnipiac University in a come-from-behind victory. Trailing 2-0 midway through the second period, Providence responded with three unanswered goals, securing their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 13 Boston College on Jan. 27, 2024 (3-1). Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ontario) scored the game-winner, marking her first goal of the season and first as a Friar.
The win also extended Providence's perfect home record to 3-0-0, the first time they have started with three straight home wins since the 2020-21 season.
Last weekend, the Friars kicked off their Hockey East campaign with a two-game series against the University of Maine in Orono (Oct. 11-12).
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Friars secured their first Hockey East win, edging Maine 3-2 in overtime. Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) delivered the game-winner with two seconds left in the extra period, marking her second career game-winning goal. Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ontario) and Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) assisted on the play. Knapp leads the team with four goals. Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I) matched her career high with 34 saves, while Providence killed five out of six penalties.
In Saturday's rematch, Maine edged out Providence, 3-2. Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) opened the scoring for the Friars, but the Black Bears responded with two goals in the second period. Lily Martinson (Allen, Texas) tied the game before Maine sealed the win with 6:34 remaining in the third period. Walinski made 30 saves and has compiled a 1.49 goals-against average and .944 save percentage to start the season.
Providence scored six-or-more goals in both games against Saint Michael's to start the season. The last time the Friars recorded six-or-more goals in back-to-back games was Sep. 29, 2017 (at Union, 7-3) and Oct. 1, 2017 (vs. Vermont, 6-2).
Returning for the Friars
The Friars return forward Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) who made the Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team after recording 14 goals and four assists for 18 points in her freshman season. Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) also returns to the lineup. Kirchmair posted 11 goals and five assists for 16 points last season.
Providence returns top defensemen Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario). Becker totaled five goals, 11 assists and 25 blocks and was named All-Hockey East Third Team honors. Cavaliere recorded one goal, 11 assists and 30 blocked shots.
In net, Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) returns for Providence. Walinski started 26 games last season, posting a 2.04 goals against average, a .917 save percentage, four shutouts and 11-11-4 record. Sophomore Taya Currie (Parkhill, Ontario) returns after missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury. In 2021, Currie was picked in the 14th round of the 2021 OHL draft by the Sarnia Sting, marking the first time a female player had been selected to one of the world's top junior hockey leagues.
Hockey East Preseason Poll
The Friars were picked to finish fifth in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, which was released on Monday, Sept. 16. Providence received 55 points and was picked to finish behind UConn (88), Northeastern (81), Boston College (73) and New Hampshire (62). The Huskies, who won the 2024 Hockey East Tournament, received eight first place votes.
Fresh Friar Faces
Providence welcomes eight new players (three transfers and five freshmen) to the roster for the 2024-25 season. Millie Sirum (Oslo, Norway) is a graduate student from Holy Cross. Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ont.) is a junior from Lindenwood University and Olivia Klunowski (Toronto, Ont.) is a junior from Franklin Pierce University. The five freshmen are Cali Cerruti (Norwell, Mass.), Hannah Clarke (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Josie Lang (Stillwater, Minn.), Emma Hofbauer (Vomperbach, Austria) and Jessie Pellerin (Bowmanville, Ont.).
Captains Named
Senior Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) was named captain for the 2024-25 season, along with alternate captains Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Lily Hendrikson (Edina, Minn).
Friars Under Head Coach Matt Kelly
Including the 2024-25 campaign, Matt Kelly has posted an overall record of 109-77-22 (.577) and 81-56-17 (.581) in Hockey East play. In his inaugural season, the 2018-19 Friars tied the school-record with 24 wins. In 2020-21, Kelly led the Friars to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005, marking the program's second appearance in school history. The Friars have reached the Hockey East Championship twice under Kelly, in 2020-21 and 2022-23.
Following their 3-2 overtime win against the University of Maine on Friday, Oct. 11, the Friars are now 6-1-0 in Hockey East openers under Coach Kelly. In those matchups, Providence has outscored its opponents 25-9.
Scouting the Huskies
UConn enters Friday's matchup ranked No. 8 in the USCHO Poll and No. 9 in the USA Hockey Poll with a record of 3-3-0 (2-0-0 HEAW). The Huskies are coming off a weekend sweep against the University of New Hampshire. On Friday, Oct. 11, they secured a 5-1 win, led by two goals from Jada Habisch, followed by a 2-0 shutout victory on Saturday, Oct. 12. Tia Chan had 25 saves in the win.
Who to Watch
Claire Murdoch, Jada Habisch, and Ava Rinker lead all Huskies with six points each. Murdoch tops the team with three goals and three assists. Habisch has contributed two goals and four assists, while Rinker has six assists in six games.
In net, goaltenders Tia Chan and Megan Warrener have shared duties. Chan has started three games, recording 80 saves with a 2.00 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Warrener has made 96 saves, boasting a 2.35 goals against average and .932 save percentage.
All Time Series with the Huskies
Providence holds a 49-26-12 all-time advantage against UConn. The teams faced off three times last season, with UConn winning two games and skating to a 2-2 tie on Feb. 2, 2024, which Providence won in a shootout, 2-0. UConn is unbeaten in the last seven meetings, going 5-0-2 in that span. Providence's last win in the series was a 2-1 victory at UConn on Feb. 11, 2022.
-GO FRIARS!-
Watch Live on ESPN+
Gameday Program
Live Stats
X (@PCWHockey)
Instagram (@PCWHockey)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Providence College women's hockey will face the No. 8/9 UConn Huskies this weekend for a single game. The matchup is set for Friday, Oct. 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Schneider Arena.
Scouting the Friars
Providence holds a 4-2-0 overall record and is 1-1-0 in Hockey East play. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, the Friars rallied to defeat No. 10/11 Quinnipiac University in a come-from-behind victory. Trailing 2-0 midway through the second period, Providence responded with three unanswered goals, securing their first win over a ranked opponent since defeating No. 13 Boston College on Jan. 27, 2024 (3-1). Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ontario) scored the game-winner, marking her first goal of the season and first as a Friar.
The win also extended Providence's perfect home record to 3-0-0, the first time they have started with three straight home wins since the 2020-21 season.
Last weekend, the Friars kicked off their Hockey East campaign with a two-game series against the University of Maine in Orono (Oct. 11-12).
On Friday, Oct. 11, the Friars secured their first Hockey East win, edging Maine 3-2 in overtime. Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) delivered the game-winner with two seconds left in the extra period, marking her second career game-winning goal. Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ontario) and Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) assisted on the play. Knapp leads the team with four goals. Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I) matched her career high with 34 saves, while Providence killed five out of six penalties.
In Saturday's rematch, Maine edged out Providence, 3-2. Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) opened the scoring for the Friars, but the Black Bears responded with two goals in the second period. Lily Martinson (Allen, Texas) tied the game before Maine sealed the win with 6:34 remaining in the third period. Walinski made 30 saves and has compiled a 1.49 goals-against average and .944 save percentage to start the season.
Providence scored six-or-more goals in both games against Saint Michael's to start the season. The last time the Friars recorded six-or-more goals in back-to-back games was Sep. 29, 2017 (at Union, 7-3) and Oct. 1, 2017 (vs. Vermont, 6-2).
Returning for the Friars
The Friars return forward Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) who made the Hockey East Pro Ambitions All-Rookie Team after recording 14 goals and four assists for 18 points in her freshman season. Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) also returns to the lineup. Kirchmair posted 11 goals and five assists for 16 points last season.
Providence returns top defensemen Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario). Becker totaled five goals, 11 assists and 25 blocks and was named All-Hockey East Third Team honors. Cavaliere recorded one goal, 11 assists and 30 blocked shots.
In net, Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) returns for Providence. Walinski started 26 games last season, posting a 2.04 goals against average, a .917 save percentage, four shutouts and 11-11-4 record. Sophomore Taya Currie (Parkhill, Ontario) returns after missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury. In 2021, Currie was picked in the 14th round of the 2021 OHL draft by the Sarnia Sting, marking the first time a female player had been selected to one of the world's top junior hockey leagues.
Hockey East Preseason Poll
The Friars were picked to finish fifth in the Hockey East Preseason Poll, which was released on Monday, Sept. 16. Providence received 55 points and was picked to finish behind UConn (88), Northeastern (81), Boston College (73) and New Hampshire (62). The Huskies, who won the 2024 Hockey East Tournament, received eight first place votes.
Fresh Friar Faces
Providence welcomes eight new players (three transfers and five freshmen) to the roster for the 2024-25 season. Millie Sirum (Oslo, Norway) is a graduate student from Holy Cross. Sarah Davies (Mississauga, Ont.) is a junior from Lindenwood University and Olivia Klunowski (Toronto, Ont.) is a junior from Franklin Pierce University. The five freshmen are Cali Cerruti (Norwell, Mass.), Hannah Clarke (Richmond Hill, Ont.), Josie Lang (Stillwater, Minn.), Emma Hofbauer (Vomperbach, Austria) and Jessie Pellerin (Bowmanville, Ont.).
Captains Named
Senior Hannah Johnson (Readfield, Maine) was named captain for the 2024-25 season, along with alternate captains Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) and Lily Hendrikson (Edina, Minn).
Friars Under Head Coach Matt Kelly
Including the 2024-25 campaign, Matt Kelly has posted an overall record of 109-77-22 (.577) and 81-56-17 (.581) in Hockey East play. In his inaugural season, the 2018-19 Friars tied the school-record with 24 wins. In 2020-21, Kelly led the Friars to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005, marking the program's second appearance in school history. The Friars have reached the Hockey East Championship twice under Kelly, in 2020-21 and 2022-23.
Following their 3-2 overtime win against the University of Maine on Friday, Oct. 11, the Friars are now 6-1-0 in Hockey East openers under Coach Kelly. In those matchups, Providence has outscored its opponents 25-9.
Scouting the Huskies
UConn enters Friday's matchup ranked No. 8 in the USCHO Poll and No. 9 in the USA Hockey Poll with a record of 3-3-0 (2-0-0 HEAW). The Huskies are coming off a weekend sweep against the University of New Hampshire. On Friday, Oct. 11, they secured a 5-1 win, led by two goals from Jada Habisch, followed by a 2-0 shutout victory on Saturday, Oct. 12. Tia Chan had 25 saves in the win.
Who to Watch
Claire Murdoch, Jada Habisch, and Ava Rinker lead all Huskies with six points each. Murdoch tops the team with three goals and three assists. Habisch has contributed two goals and four assists, while Rinker has six assists in six games.
In net, goaltenders Tia Chan and Megan Warrener have shared duties. Chan has started three games, recording 80 saves with a 2.00 goals against average and a .930 save percentage. Warrener has made 96 saves, boasting a 2.35 goals against average and .932 save percentage.
All Time Series with the Huskies
Providence holds a 49-26-12 all-time advantage against UConn. The teams faced off three times last season, with UConn winning two games and skating to a 2-2 tie on Feb. 2, 2024, which Providence won in a shootout, 2-0. UConn is unbeaten in the last seven meetings, going 5-0-2 in that span. Providence's last win in the series was a 2-1 victory at UConn on Feb. 11, 2022.
-GO FRIARS!-
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