Completed Event: Women's Ice Hockey at #13/13 University of St. Thomas on October 25, 2025 , Loss , 1, to, 5
Women's Ice Hockey
at #13/13 University of St. Thomas
Final
1
-
5
Providence College Athletics
1999-00 Women's Hockey Outlook
9/13/1999 12:00:00 AM | Women's Ice Hockey
Sept. 13, 1999
It has been over 25 years since the inception of the women's ice hockey program at Providence College . In 1974-75, the Friars' inaugural campaign, the team posted a record of 0-8-0. Since that first season, Providence has chalked up an impressive record of 401-151-29. The women's hockey team has not only become one of the top athletic programs at Providence College, but one of the top teams in the nation.
One thing that has led to the success of the program has been stability. Entering last season, the Friars had only three head coaches. Last season, however, marked the end of the Barto era at Providence College. Jackie Barto, who was one of the best athletes to ever lace up the skates for the black and white, resigned as head coach midway through last season.
The 1999-00 season will mark a new beginning for the women's ice hockey program at Providence College. New Head Coach Bob Deraney takes over a program that has been nationally regarded since its beginning. Deraney assumes the reigns from Tom Sheehan who served as interim head coach following the departure of Barto in January. Last season, the Friars posted a 19-12-3 overall record and a 15-8-3 mark in the ECAC after a disappointing season in 1997-98. Once again, the Friars qualified for the ECAC Tournament and proved that they are one of the top teams in the conference.
Even though this is his first season with the team, Deraney sees no reason why the team will not be able to build on its success of a year ago. "Our goal is to help Providence College hockey continue as one of the top women's programs in the country and challenge for the ECAC crown," Deraney said. "We are fortunate to have one of the top goaltenders in the country in Sara DeCosta along with the entire defensive unit from last season. With the offensive explosiveness of Jess Tabb and Jackie Tamsin, I believe we will be able to put a solid team on the ice."
For Deraney and the Friars to be successful, they will have to rebuild an offense that struggled at times last year. This year's version of the Friars will have to fill the void left by some of the most talented frontliners to skate at PC. Providence will be without the services of four seniors who graduated and one junior who left the program.
THE FORWARDS Returning 8, Lost 5, Newcomers 4
The Friars will have to find a way to get more skaters involved into an offense that struggled at times during the 1998-99 campaign. Making that task tougher will be the loss of five of the team's top offensive producers from last season. Departed from the forward position are Katie Lachapelle, Myia Yates, Tina Schairer and Sherryl Jones. The cluster of Lachapelle, Yates, Schairer, and Jones graduated from the College as one of the top classes ever to wear the Providence sweater. Last season, Lachapelle led the team in assists (23) and was second in scoring (36 points). After four years at Providence, Yates ranks 14th all-time in scoring (125 points) and 12th all-time in assists (74). Jones and Schairer combined for 14 points in there final go-around with the black and white.
PC will look to junior Jessica Tabb (Springfield, Mass.) to get the offense rolling and to get other teammates involved. Tabb returns after leading the Friars in scoring last season with 19 goals and 18 assists. She also led the team in power-play goals (four) and game-winning tallies (four). Her speed and puckhandling will continue to make her one of the top offensive players in the ECAC. She received numerous accolades for her efforts last season as she earned ECAC Second Team All-League and New England Hockey Writers Second Team All-Star honors.
Sophomore Jackie Tamsin (Branford, Conn.) had a productive year in her first collegiate season. The durable Tamsin played in all 34 games and tallied 21 points (eight goals, 13 assists). A hard working athlete, Tamsin is known for her aggressive style in the corners as she has the ability to setup her teammates on offense. After the experience she gained last season, Tamsin will be ready to increase her goal scoring for the Friars in 1999-00.
Deraney's squad is very fortunate this year as three experienced seniors return after excellent junior seasons. Leading the group of seniors will be Jennifer Bill (Minnetrista, Minn.). Bill saw action in all but one contest last year and tallied four goals and four assists. In three seasons as a Friar, Bill has recorded six goals and seven assists and continues to improve her offensive skills. Colleen Doherty (Arlington, Mass.) is coming off of her best season after posting two goals in 1998-99. Throughout her career, she has improved significantly and should be able to contribute to the offense after three seasons at Providence. Rounding out the group of seniors at the forward position is Kerstin Matthews (Westford, Mass.). Matthews is also coming off of her best season as a Friar, having recorded six goals and five assists. She is a strong forechecker, who is not afraid to go into the corners to get the puck. Last year, Matthews scored two goals, including the game-winner at Cornell on January 3.
For her efforts, Matthews was named the team's Most Improved Player.
Juniors Erin Cannon (Potsdam, N.Y.), Holley Tyng (E. Orleans, Mass.) and sophomore Beth Wolff (Hibbing, Minn.) also add experience to the offense. Cannon and Tyng return after solid sophomore campaigns. In 33 games, Tyng tallied a career-high four goals and nine assists. Cannon also gained experience after seeing action in 30 games last year. Both players will be asked to add some punch to the Friar offense. Wolff emerged onto the scene for the Friars after a noteworthy high school career in Minnesota. She added two goals and seven assists for the Friars last season. Wolff proved that she has the ability to skate with the nation's best and also will be looked upon to make a significant contribution in 1999-00.
Providence will benefit from the addition of four highly touted freshmen who should be able to contribute immediately. Jennifer Butsch (Berlin, Vt.) comes to PC after a standout high school career. For the past three years, Butsch also has attended the Jr. Olympic Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. Danielle Culgin (Framingham, Mass.) is a newcomer who should add depth at the forward position. In four years at Lawrence Academy, Culgin tallied 59 goals and 85 assists and helped her team win three ISL Championships. Melanie Ruzzi (Burnsville, Minn.) joins the team after earning All-State honors last year as she tallied 73 career points in high school. The final newcomer at the forward position is Brynn Vehec (Kennewick, Wash.). Vehec received numerous hockey honors while playing for River View High School. In three seasons, she tallied 37 goals and 27 assists.
THE DEFENSE Returning 6, Lost 0, Newcomers 1
Head Coach Bob Deraney is excited about the fact that the entire defensive corps returns from last season. Junior Val Bono (Woburn, Mass.) will anchor the group of blueliners that features three seniors, two sophomores and one freshman. PC's defensive unit is very versatile as it has defensemen who have to ability to cross the blue line and contribute on offense.
Bono saw action in 31 games as a sophomore. She registered 12 goals and 11 assists last year and contributed with four power-play goals. The team's enforcer, Bono racked up 60 penalty minutes to lead the Friars. Bono has one of the hardest shots in the ECAC and will be asked to make a contribution on offense especially in man-advantage opportunities.
Senior Katherine Cahill (Wethersfield, Conn.) is one of the team's most experienced players. During her four years at PC, she has shown continual improvement. Cahill has tallied three goals and 11 assists for her career. Deraney will look to her to help minimize the opposition's offensive chances.
Senior Stacy Kreger (Indianapolis, Ind.) recorded a plus/minus of 19 last season. With her experienced play, Kreger will be expected to work hard in the corners and clear the puck out of the defensive zone. Throughout the years, Kreger has worked diligently to improve offensively. In 1998-99, she tallied two assists in 25 games.
The final senior on this year's team is Alain Frankiewicz (Houston, Texas). Frankiewicz is a strong player who adds a lot of strength and size to the Friar lineup. She has tallied four goals and 20 assists in 96 games at PC. Last year, she recorded 13 penalties for 37 minutes. Frankiewicz adds an imposing player to go along with Bono on the blue line.
PC's defensive unit features two sophomores who saw significant action last season. Jennifer Kranz (Waukesha, Wis.) saw action in 30 games as a freshman and posted two goals and two assists. She showed continual improvement as the season progressed, appearing more comfortable in various on-ice situations. Kim Mathias (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) also made a significant impact as a freshman. Mathias saw action in every game and recorded seven goals and seven assists. She is never afraid to be in the middle of the action on the ice as she was whistled for 12 penalties in her rookie season.
This experienced defensive corps will add sophomore Christa Talbot (Lake Forest, Calif.) who transferred from St. Lawrence. Last season at St. Lawrence, Talbot tallied four goals and seven assists. Prior to that, Talbot started playing ice hockey in California where she played for Team California, which placed second in the nation in 1998. She also spent two years at Williston Northampton where she improved her skills.
IN GOAL Returning 2, Lost 0, Newcomers 0
In goal, junior Sara DeCosta (Warwick, R.I.) will once again backstop the Friars as they look to improve on a 19-win season of a year ago. DeCosta, a member of the US Women's Olympic Hockey Team that captured the gold medal in 1998, is one of the top goaltenders in the country. Last year, DeCosta earned Second Team All-America and First Team All-ECAC honors. She started 28 games in 1998-99 and posted a 14-11-3 record with a 2.32 goals against average. DeCosta has the ability to keep the Friars in games against some of the most explosive teams in the ECAC.
Backing-up DeCosta, for the second straight year, will be sophomore Brigid Keady (Glencoe, Ill.). Keady drastically improved her skating and net presence for the Friars as a freshman. She saw action in eight games and made six starts. Keady posted a record of 5-1-0 and notched a shutout at Colby on January 23.
WRAP-UP
Head Coach Bob Deraney is very optimistic about the Friars' fortunes in 1999-00. The fifth head coach in the history of the program, Deraney is very excited about the immediate future. "I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to coach at such a tradition rich college as Providence," Deraney said. This year's team will be very exciting to watch as they look to improve on a fifth-place ECAC finish of a year ago. As the century comes to an end, Deraney will embark on a new challenge as he looks to lead the Friars into the millennium.
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