PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Another strong effort from the Harvard women's ice hockey team came up short tonight as the team fell to Providence in overtime. The Crimson (2-8-1, 1-7-0 ECAC) put up a strong fight but could not hold a third period lead as the Friars (7-6-3, 3-5-2 HEA) escaped with an overtime win in the second game of the home-and-home series. The Crimson first-year class led the way tonight with Ella Lucia and Antonina Dinges logging the goals and Ainsley Tuffy making 31 saves in another strong effort between the pipes.
 

How It Happened

• The Crimson made its way to Rhode Island to battle the Friars in the second half of the teams' home-and-home series. After falling in a shootout in round one, the Crimson was looking to rebound and add another non conference win to its season register.
• It was all defense in the early going with Tuffy making three saves and the Crimson defense blocking three shots in the first nine minutes of the contest.
• The Crimsons struck first with just over seven minutes left in the first period, getting on the board after an Antonina Dinges goal. Dinges fought for position on the doorstep before chipping a puck into the back of the net after on a rebound. Her second goal of the season put the Crimson up 1-0.
• The Crimson continued to outplay the Friars for the rest of the period, holding the Friars to just one shot for the remainder of the period. Harvard held an 11-4 advantage in shots and a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes of play.
• The Friars came out swinging in the second period, putting seven shots on net in the first three minutes of play, all of which we stopped by Tuffy. Providence was finally able to break through, getting the game-tying goal early in the second period.
• Harvard put six shots on net in the period but could not find the go-ahead strike as the second period ended with the teams locked in a 1-1 tie.
• Tuffy and the defense stood tall for a majority of the third period, especially in the middle of the period, holding off a few Friar scoring chances with save and blocked shots.
• Harvard would take a late lead at the 16-minute mark in the period, after Ella Lucia ripped a wrist shot from the top of the circle into the back of the net. Lucia's first career goal put the Crimson in front, 2-1, with just under four minutes remaining.
• Providence answered quickly, getting a goal with two minutes left in regulation to tie the game. The late Friar goal sent Harvard and Providence to overtime for the second straight night.
• In overtime, Harvard won the opening faceoff and created two early chances that were turned away. Tuffy also made a trio of saves in the frame on a Providence counter.
• Providence managed to sneak a goal past Tuffy after a loose puck was deflected out of the crease and out of the reach of the first-year goalie.
• The Friars escaped with an overtime victory against the Crimson after another battle between the two teams.

 

Harvard Highlights

• Ella Lucia scored her first career goal in the matchup.
• Antonina Dinges scored her second goal of the season.
• Ainsley Tuffy made 31 saves in the effort.
• Harvard blocked 20 shots as a team, led by Mia Biotti who tallied five blocked shots.
• Kaley MacDonalds registered two assists in the contest.

 

Next Up

The Crimson will have the coming weekend off before the team will travel to the North Country for its final ECAC series of the season at St. Lawrence and Clarkson.