Providence 1, Harvard 0

The Friars (16-6-3, 10-5-3) capitalized on a Crimson breakdown in the second period and tightened up their defense in the last 20 minutes to preserve the one-goal margin and hand Harvard its second home loss of the season yesterday.

The Crimson failed to score a goal for the first time in its last 83 games. Providence goaltender Sara DeCosta, a gold medalist on the 1998 U.S. Olympic Team, stopped all 24 Harvard shots. In the last meeting between these two teams Jan. 8, DeCosta had 45 saves, including seven in overtime, to force a 1-1 overtime tie.

"We take pride in being a good defensive team," said Providence Coach Bob Deraney. "We didn't have many lapses and we didn't beat ourselves today. We had a great opportunity in the second period and we made the most of it."

Providence center Jess Tabb, the Friars' leading scorer, scored the game's only goal 3:24 into the second. Senior goaltender Crystal Springer tried to play the puck behind the goal. But the puck trickled into the crease, and Tabb was waiting to knock it into the open net.

"I was going in to forecheck and the puck just popped out," Tabb said. "I was in the right place at the right time."

Providence continued to dominate the second period, outshooting Harvard 10-5. But Springer bounced back to make the final 13 saves and give her teammates a chance to tie the game in the third period.

Harvard had plenty of chances to get the equalizer. With Ruggiero, Hagerman, and junior center Kiirsten Suurkask alternating shifts on the top line alongside Shewchuk and junior winger Angie Francisco, the Crimson fired 13 shots on goal in the final 20 minutes.