Crimson Beats Providence, Extends Streak to 11 Games

Boxscore 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Four different Crimson players scored goals as the No. 2 Harvard women's ice hockey team downed Providence, 4-1, on Saturday night at Schneider Arena in a matchup of non-conference opponents.  Forwards Jenny Brine, Liza Ryabkina and Sarah Vaillancourt each scored goals and added two assists in the victory.

Providence (6-8-2) entered the contest having won four of its last five home games, but it was Harvard (11-0-0, 9-0-0 ECAC Hockey) that took control, scoring two power-play goals and earning its 11th straight victory to open the season.

Senior captain and defenseman Caitlin Cahow started the scoring for the Crimson on a power play at 16:24 of the first period on assists from Vaillancourt and Ryabkina.  Cahow paces the team's defensemen with 11 points and five goals.

At 7:53 of the second stanza, Vaillancourt added an even-strength goal, as Brine and Ryabkina chipped in assists to give Harvard a 2-0 lead.  The Friars answered 5:10 later, as junior forward Katy Beach beat Harvard sophomore goalie Christina Kessler to pull Providence within one goal.

Seconds later, the Friars were called for a holding penalty, and the Crimson capitalized 10 seconds into the power play opportunity, as Vaillancourt and Brine fed Ryabkina for a score to extend Harvard's advantage to 3-1.  Ryabkina finishes the weekend with one goal and four assists and now has 14 points in her rookie season.  Vaillancourt now leads Harvard with 25 points, including nine goals and 16 assists.

Brine added an even strength score with 2:45 remaining in the second period for her sixth goal of the year to clinch the victory for Harvard. 

For the Crimson, Kessler improved to 10-0-0 this season, as she made 17 saves on the evening.  Kessler had a 170:11 scoreless streak before the Providence goal in the second period.

Harvard out shot Providence 32-18 and won 42 of 68 faceoffs.  Freshman forward Katherine Chute won nine of her 10 faceoff chances.

Providence was 0 for 5 on the power play, while Harvard scored on 2 of 9 chances with an extra attacker.  Harvard has now killed 43 of 38 opponent power plays this season (.896). The Crimson has beaten the Friars three consecutive seasons, and has won nine of the last 11 meetings between the schools.

This was the second victory for Harvard against a Hockey East opponent this weekend, as the Crimson topped No. 10 Connecticut, 2-0, on Friday at Bright Hockey Center.

The Crimson tied the school record by winning its first 11 games.  The 2003-04 team won its first 11 games, and was undefeated (13-0-1) in its first 14 en route to a 30-4-1 record and an appearance in the NCAA Championship final.  Harvard remains the only undefeated team in the country this season.

No. 2 Harvard will face No. 1 New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. on Friday, December 14 at 7 p.m. in the Crimson's final game before the New Year.