Completed Event: Women's Ice Hockey at #14/RV Holy Cross on January 23, 2026 , Loss , 1, to, 2
Women's Ice Hockey
at #14/RV Holy Cross
Final
1
-
2
Providence College Athletics
Friday, February 13
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
6:00 PM
Providence College
at
Boston College
Photo by: Foley Photography
Women’s Hockey Prepares For Weekend Against Boston College And No. 14/15 Holy Cross
2/12/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Ice Hockey
The Friars are currently 9-19-2 overall and 6-12-2 in Hockey East play.
GAME INFORMATION VS. BOSTON COLLEGE
FEBRUARY 13 | CONTE FORUM | CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. | 6:00 PM
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GAME INFORMATION VS. NO. 14/15 HOLY CROSS
FEBRUARY 14 | SCHNEIDER ARENA | PROVIDENCE, R.I. | 1:00 PM
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College women's hockey team is set to face Boston College on Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., before hosting the No. 14/15 Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Schneider Arena in Providence, R.I. Puck drop for Saturday's matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Scouting the Friars
Providence enters the weekend with a 9-19-2 overall record and a 6-12-2 mark in Hockey East play following an overtime loss to No. 6/8 UConn and a 3-2 defeat at Merrimack. The Friars sit ninth in the Hockey East standings with 20 points and four regular-season games remaining. Against UConn, Providence fell behind in the first period before senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) tied the game with 2:53 remaining in regulation. The Huskies secured the win with a goal at the 3:24 mark of overtime. The Friars then traveled to North Andover, Mass., to face Merrimack. The Warriors scored nine seconds into the third period and later added an empty-net goal to secure the 3-2 victory. Senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) recorded a goal and an assist, marking her sixth career multi-point game and her fourth of the season. She also extended her point streak to four games.
Cavy Blocking Shots
Senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) leads the Friars with 65 blocked shots this season. She ranks second in Hockey East behind Boston College's Emma Conner, who has 67, with Cavaliere having played four less games. Cavaliere posted a season-high six blocks against Boston College on Jan. 16 and has also set a career high in assists this season, leading Providence with 17. Her 17 assists are seventh best overall in Hockey East.
Keep It Close
The Friars are 7-3-0 in one score games this season.
Pellerin In The Dots
Sophomore Jessie Pellerin (Bowmanville, Ontario) has transitioned to center this season and has won 268 faceoffs at a team-high 57.6 percent. Her faceoff wins rank third in Hockey East and 25th nationally.
Walinski Making Saves
Walinski has started all 30 games for the Friars this season, posting a 2.91 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and 815 saves. Her save total ranks third in Hockey East and fifth nationally.
Cristina Cavaliere Named Army ROTC Defender Of The Month
Defenseman Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) was named Army ROTC Defender of the Month for January on Wednesday, Feb. 4, marking her first recognition of the season. Cavaliere totaled seven assists and 20 blocked shots over nine games during the month. The senior recorded two assists in a game for the fourth time in her career on Jan. 31 in a 3-2 win over Vermont.
Hope Walinski Named Army ROTC Defender Of The Week
Goaltender Hope Walinski was named Army ROTC Defender of the Week on Monday, Feb. 2, marking her first recognition of the season. Walinski finished the weekend sweep over Vermont with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. She stopped 65 of 68 shots over the two-game series, including a 40-save effort in Saturday's 3-2 victory. It marked her second 40-plus save performance of the season.
Walinski Hits 100 Career Games
Walinski appeared in her 100th career game against Vermont on Saturday, Jan. 31. She recorded 40 saves to secure the 3-2 win and complete the weekend sweep. The graduate student ranks fifth all-time in games played by a Providence College goaltender. Genevieve Lacasse holds the program record with 127 games played from 2008-12.
Hitting The Road
Beginning Jan. 16, Providence started a stretch of seven road games over nine contests. The Friars are 2-6-0 during that span with three road games remaining. Providence is 5-12-0 on the road this season and 4-7-2 at Schneider Arena.
Kirchmair-Knapp Duo
The duo of former Hockey East First Team All-Stars senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) and junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) lead the Friars in points this season. Kirchmair has 22 points in 30 games (11 goals and 11 assists) while Knapp has 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists. Kirchmair, Knapp and senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) are the only Friars with double-digit assists this season. Kirchmair is three points away from reaching 100 career points, aiming to become one of 29 players in program history to reach the mark.
Overtimes
Providence headed to overtime for the seventh time this season on Friday, Feb. 6 in a 2-1 defeat over No. 6/8 UConn. Prior to the final game of 2025, the Friars' previous three games went to overtime. Providence holds a 4-1-2 record in overtime this season after going 4-1-3 in extra time last year. Under Head Coach Matt Kelly, the Friars are 18-11-22 all-time in overtime.
Future Friar Wins Gold
Incoming goaltender Bianca Birrittieri won gold with the United States national team at the U18 Women's World Championship in Cape Breton, Canada on Sunday, Jan. 18. Birrittieri played in four games for the United States and posted a 0.50 goals-against average, a .975 save percentage, two shutouts and a 4-0-0 record. In the gold medal game against Canada, Birrittieri recorded a shutout with 38 saves and was named Player of the Game. Birrittieri, originally from Flower Mound, Texas, will join the Friars next season.
Former Friars Headed To The Olympics
Former Providence College women's ice hockey players Sandra Abstreiter (Germany) '22, '23G, Sara Hjalmarsson (Sweden) '22, '23G and Noemi Neubauerová (Czechia) '23G have been selected to their respective national team rosters for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled for Feb. 5–19 in Italy. Abstreiter will be making her first Olympic appearance, Hjalmarsson her third and Neubauerová her second.
Finishing First Half Strong
The Friars won their final three games and were undefeated in their last four contests before the winter break. Following a 2-2 tie with Boston University on Nov. 22, Providence won the Mayor's Cup in a 3-2 overtime victory. The Friars closed the 2025 calendar year with a sweep of Merrimack College, earning a 3-2 overtime win at Schneider Arena and a 3-2 road victory.
Taking The Mayor's Cup
The Friars captured the 30th Mayor's Cup with a 3-2 overtime victory over No. 11/11 Brown University on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Meehan Auditorium in Providence, R.I. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first period, Providence tied the game in the third period on a goal from junior Kiara Kraft (Churchville, N.Y.) before junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) gave the Friars the lead. Brown later tied the game to force overtime, where Knapp scored the game-winning goal to secure the Mayor's Cup. Head Coach Matt Kelly is now 6-1-0 all-time against the Bears.
Ranked Start
The Friars opened the season playing seven of their first eight games against ranked opponents. Providence is 3-12-0 this season against ranked foes. Last year, the Friars went 7-5-0, their most ranked wins in a season under Head Coach Matt Kelly and the most since 2009-10. Including the 2025-26 season, Kelly holds a 24-52-6 record against ranked opponents at Providence.
Power Play Opportunities
The Friars have had only 64 power play opportunities this season, the fewest in the country. Providence has scored 10 goals on those 64 opportunities for a 15.6 percent success rate, which ranks 31st nationally and eighth in Hockey East. The Friars have had eight games this season with just one power play opportunity and three games with none.
Kirchmair Reaches 50 Career Goals
In the Friars' game against Boston University on Saturday, Nov. 22, senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) scored her 50th career goal. The last Friar to reach 50 career goals was Sara Hjalmarsson (2018-23), who finished with 62 and sits 20th all-time in program history. Cammi Granato (1989-93) tops the career goals list with 139.
Reichen Kirchmair Named Hockey East Player Of The Week
Senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) was named Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday, Oct. 27, marking her first weekly honor of the season. Kirchmair led the Friars with four goals in Friday's 7-6 overtime victory over No. 13/13 St. Thomas. She recorded a second-period hat trick in just 4:41 before netting the game-winner in overtime. The four-goal outing marked Kirchmair's second career hat trick, seventh three-point game, and second four-point game. It was also her 22nd career multi-point effort and 12th game-winning goal. Kirchmair is the first Friar to score four goals in a game since Sara Hjalmarsson did so against Maine on Nov. 19, 2022, and the first to record multiple hat tricks since Hjalmarsson, who tallied three in her career.
Returning for the Friars
Providence returns senior forward Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario), the 2024-25 Cammi Granato Award winner as Hockey East Player of the Year and the league's scoring champion. She became the first Friar to earn Player of the Year honors since 2004-05 and the first to claim the scoring title since 2002-03. Kirchmair was the only unanimous selection to the Hockey East First Team after leading the league with 15 goals and 15 assists in conference play. The senior paced all league players with 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points in 34 games.
Junior forward Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) also returns for the Friars after being named a Hockey East First Team All-Star last season. Knapp tied for the conference lead in goals with 15, alongside Kirchmair, making them the only Friars to achieve the feat in the Hockey East era with Sara Hjalmarsson in 2022-23. The junior finished the season with 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points.
In net, graduate student Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) returns for Providence. Walinski started 33 games for the Friars, posting a 1.87 goals against average, a .922 save percentage, four shutouts and a 19-11-3 record. Walinski was awarded as a Hockey East Third Team All-Star and named to the "Watch List" for the National Goalie of the Year Award last season.
Largest Freshman Class Since 2008-09
Providence welcomes nine freshmen to the 2025-26 roster, the most in a single class since 2008-09.
Audrey Knapp Invited to USA Hockey Women's National Festival
Junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) was invited to the 2025 USA Hockey Women's National Festival on Aug. 3-9 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The group is made up of 76 college and professional players, along with 46 players under the age of 18. The Festival assisted in the evaluation process for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team.
Former Friars Selected in 2025 PWHL Draft
Former Friars Sara Hjalmarsson (Bankeryd, Sweden) '22, '23G and Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) '24, '25G were selected in the 2025 PWHL Draft. Hjalmarsson was chosen in the fifth round (35th overall) by the Toronto Sceptres, while Becker was taken in the sixth round (46th overall) by the Minnesota Frost. The duo becomes the third and fourth Friars in program history to be selected in the PWHL Draft, joining Sandra Abstreiter '22, '23G (2023) and Noemi Neubauerová '23G (2024).
Last Season's Second Half Climb
The Friars opened the second half of the 2024-25 season with an 8-1-0 record in January, their most wins in the month since 1998-99. Providence started the second half of the season in eighth place with 11 points through 11 games. From January through the end of the regular season, Providence earned points in 17 of its final 20 conference games, posting a 13-3-0 record in the second half, the best mark in Hockey East after the new year.
Hats Flying
Providence recorded four hat tricks in 2024-25, its most in a single season since 2004-05. Three of those came from current returners: Reichen Kirchmair, Audrey Knapp and Kiara Kraft.
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 61 points and were picked to finish behind UConn (86), Boston University (82), Northeastern University (76) and Boston College (64). The Huskies and Terriers each received five first place votes.
Fresh Friar Faces
Providence welcomes 10 new players (one transfer and nine freshmen) to the roster for the 2025-26 season. Taylor Porthan (Edina, Minn.) is a sophomore from UConn. The nine freshmen are Molly Farace (Otonabee, Ontario), Sophie Harold (Cobourg, Ontario), Mallory Hartl (Askov, Minn.), Izzy King (Bedford, Mass.), Taylor Leemrijse (Toronto, Ontario), Lauren Mack (Excelsior, Minn.), Brenna O'Reilly (Burlington, Mass.), Bella Paolucci (Groose Pointe Woods, Mich.) and Sami Snyder (Waterloo, Ontario).
Friars Under Head Coach Matt Kelly
Including the 2025-26 campaign, Matt Kelly has posted an overall record of 134-106-27 (.552) and 102-76-21 (.565) in Hockey East play. Last season's 20 wins marked the third time during Kelly's tenure the Friars have reached the 20-win mark. 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.
Kelly Reaches 100 Hockey East Wins
Providence Head Coach Matt Kelly won his 100th Hockey East game in the 3-2 victory over Merrimack College on Dec. 6. With the win, Kelly become the second coach in program history to reach 100 Hockey East wins since the league's inception in 2002-03, joining Bob Deraney. He currently ranks third all-time in program history with 132 overall wins, trailing Deraney (319) and John Marchetti (264).
Through 40
In the Kelly era, the Friars are 91-8-6 when taking the lead into the third period. They are 28-22-14 when tied after two periods and 15-76-7 when trailing.
Three is the Number
Under Kelly, Providence is 102-7-3 all-time when scoring three or more goals. The Friars are 8-0-0 this season when scoring three goals. Last season, Providence went 18-1-0 when scoring three or more, including a perfect 10-0-0 mark when scoring four and 5-0-0 when scoring five.
Scouting the Eagles and Crusaders
Boston College enters Friday with a 13-16-1 overall record and an 11-8-1 mark in Hockey East play, sitting fourth in the league standings with 33 points. The Eagles are coming off a weekend split, earning a 4-3 overtime victory at No. 13/13 Holy Cross before falling on the road to No. 6/8 UConn, 6-2. BC is 6-6-0 at home this season. No. 14/15 Holy Cross enters the weekend with an 18-10-2 overall record but is winless in its last four games. The Crusaders will head to North Andover, Mass., on Friday to face Merrimack College before traveling to Providence. All three coaches at Holy Cross, Head Coach Katie Lachapelle '99 and assistants Janine Weber '14 and Christina Putigna '19 all played and graduated from Providence College.
Who to Watch for Boston College
Freshman forward Ava Thomas leads the Eagles and Hockey East in scoring with 41 points in 30 games on 17 goals and 24 assists, averaging 1.37 points per game. Thomas also owns a team-high plus-minus rating of plus-11. The freshman posted a career-high six points in the win over the Friars last month, recording two goals and four assists. Junior Sammy Taber follows Thomas with 25 points on seven goals and 18 assists through 28 games. Taber posted four points (1-3-4) in the win over Providence last month.
In goal, senior Grace Campbell anchors the Eagles. Campbell has started 29 games and recorded 988 saves, the second-most in the nation, to go along with a 2.90 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage, a 12-16-1 record and two shutouts.
All-Time Series with the Eagles
Providence leads the all-time series against Boston College, 60-50-4. The Friars have dropped the last three contests against the Eagles, including both meetings this season. BC has outscored Providence 13-3 in the two games this year. Providence heads to Chestnut Hill winless in its last four visits, with its last win at Conte Forum coming on Jan. 27, 2024, in a 3-1 victory.
Who to Watch for Holy Cross
Freshman forward Violet Carroll leads the Crusaders with 24 points on nine goals and 15 assists through 30 games. Carroll ranks 10th in Hockey East scoring. Freshman forward Naemi Herzig ranks second on the team with 21 points on seven goals and 14 assists but is currently away on international duty with Switzerland at the Olympics.
In goal, seniors Abby Hornung and Brooke Loranger have split time for the Crusaders. Hornung has started 19 games and owns a league-best 1.54 goals-against average, along with 470 saves, a .942 save percentage, an 11-7-1 record and three shutouts. Loranger has started 12 games, posting a 1.72 goals-against average, 269 saves, a .937 save percentage, a 7-3-1 record and two shutouts. Both goaltenders played against the Friars last month.
All-Time Series with the Crusaders
Providence leads the all-time series against Holy Cross, 21-2-1. The Crusaders earned their first two victories over the Friars in program history with a weekend sweep on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. Holy Cross defeated Providence 2-1 in Worcester, Mass., before earning a 3-0 shutout at Schneider Arena.
-GO FRIARS!-
FEBRUARY 13 | CONTE FORUM | CHESTNUT HILL, MASS. | 6:00 PM
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GAME INFORMATION VS. NO. 14/15 HOLY CROSS
FEBRUARY 14 | SCHNEIDER ARENA | PROVIDENCE, R.I. | 1:00 PM
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Game Day Program
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Providence College women's hockey team is set to face Boston College on Friday, Feb. 13, at 6 p.m. at Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., before hosting the No. 14/15 Holy Cross Crusaders on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Schneider Arena in Providence, R.I. Puck drop for Saturday's matchup is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Scouting the Friars
Providence enters the weekend with a 9-19-2 overall record and a 6-12-2 mark in Hockey East play following an overtime loss to No. 6/8 UConn and a 3-2 defeat at Merrimack. The Friars sit ninth in the Hockey East standings with 20 points and four regular-season games remaining. Against UConn, Providence fell behind in the first period before senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) tied the game with 2:53 remaining in regulation. The Huskies secured the win with a goal at the 3:24 mark of overtime. The Friars then traveled to North Andover, Mass., to face Merrimack. The Warriors scored nine seconds into the third period and later added an empty-net goal to secure the 3-2 victory. Senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) recorded a goal and an assist, marking her sixth career multi-point game and her fourth of the season. She also extended her point streak to four games.
Cavy Blocking Shots
Senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) leads the Friars with 65 blocked shots this season. She ranks second in Hockey East behind Boston College's Emma Conner, who has 67, with Cavaliere having played four less games. Cavaliere posted a season-high six blocks against Boston College on Jan. 16 and has also set a career high in assists this season, leading Providence with 17. Her 17 assists are seventh best overall in Hockey East.
Keep It Close
The Friars are 7-3-0 in one score games this season.
Pellerin In The Dots
Sophomore Jessie Pellerin (Bowmanville, Ontario) has transitioned to center this season and has won 268 faceoffs at a team-high 57.6 percent. Her faceoff wins rank third in Hockey East and 25th nationally.
Walinski Making Saves
Walinski has started all 30 games for the Friars this season, posting a 2.91 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage and 815 saves. Her save total ranks third in Hockey East and fifth nationally.
Cristina Cavaliere Named Army ROTC Defender Of The Month
Defenseman Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) was named Army ROTC Defender of the Month for January on Wednesday, Feb. 4, marking her first recognition of the season. Cavaliere totaled seven assists and 20 blocked shots over nine games during the month. The senior recorded two assists in a game for the fourth time in her career on Jan. 31 in a 3-2 win over Vermont.
Hope Walinski Named Army ROTC Defender Of The Week
Goaltender Hope Walinski was named Army ROTC Defender of the Week on Monday, Feb. 2, marking her first recognition of the season. Walinski finished the weekend sweep over Vermont with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. She stopped 65 of 68 shots over the two-game series, including a 40-save effort in Saturday's 3-2 victory. It marked her second 40-plus save performance of the season.
Walinski Hits 100 Career Games
Walinski appeared in her 100th career game against Vermont on Saturday, Jan. 31. She recorded 40 saves to secure the 3-2 win and complete the weekend sweep. The graduate student ranks fifth all-time in games played by a Providence College goaltender. Genevieve Lacasse holds the program record with 127 games played from 2008-12.
Hitting The Road
Beginning Jan. 16, Providence started a stretch of seven road games over nine contests. The Friars are 2-6-0 during that span with three road games remaining. Providence is 5-12-0 on the road this season and 4-7-2 at Schneider Arena.
Kirchmair-Knapp Duo
The duo of former Hockey East First Team All-Stars senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) and junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) lead the Friars in points this season. Kirchmair has 22 points in 30 games (11 goals and 11 assists) while Knapp has 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists. Kirchmair, Knapp and senior Cristina Cavaliere (Mississauga, Ontario) are the only Friars with double-digit assists this season. Kirchmair is three points away from reaching 100 career points, aiming to become one of 29 players in program history to reach the mark.
Overtimes
Providence headed to overtime for the seventh time this season on Friday, Feb. 6 in a 2-1 defeat over No. 6/8 UConn. Prior to the final game of 2025, the Friars' previous three games went to overtime. Providence holds a 4-1-2 record in overtime this season after going 4-1-3 in extra time last year. Under Head Coach Matt Kelly, the Friars are 18-11-22 all-time in overtime.
Future Friar Wins Gold
Incoming goaltender Bianca Birrittieri won gold with the United States national team at the U18 Women's World Championship in Cape Breton, Canada on Sunday, Jan. 18. Birrittieri played in four games for the United States and posted a 0.50 goals-against average, a .975 save percentage, two shutouts and a 4-0-0 record. In the gold medal game against Canada, Birrittieri recorded a shutout with 38 saves and was named Player of the Game. Birrittieri, originally from Flower Mound, Texas, will join the Friars next season.
Former Friars Headed To The Olympics
Former Providence College women's ice hockey players Sandra Abstreiter (Germany) '22, '23G, Sara Hjalmarsson (Sweden) '22, '23G and Noemi Neubauerová (Czechia) '23G have been selected to their respective national team rosters for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, scheduled for Feb. 5–19 in Italy. Abstreiter will be making her first Olympic appearance, Hjalmarsson her third and Neubauerová her second.
Finishing First Half Strong
The Friars won their final three games and were undefeated in their last four contests before the winter break. Following a 2-2 tie with Boston University on Nov. 22, Providence won the Mayor's Cup in a 3-2 overtime victory. The Friars closed the 2025 calendar year with a sweep of Merrimack College, earning a 3-2 overtime win at Schneider Arena and a 3-2 road victory.
Taking The Mayor's Cup
The Friars captured the 30th Mayor's Cup with a 3-2 overtime victory over No. 11/11 Brown University on Saturday, Nov. 29 at Meehan Auditorium in Providence, R.I. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first period, Providence tied the game in the third period on a goal from junior Kiara Kraft (Churchville, N.Y.) before junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) gave the Friars the lead. Brown later tied the game to force overtime, where Knapp scored the game-winning goal to secure the Mayor's Cup. Head Coach Matt Kelly is now 6-1-0 all-time against the Bears.
Ranked Start
The Friars opened the season playing seven of their first eight games against ranked opponents. Providence is 3-12-0 this season against ranked foes. Last year, the Friars went 7-5-0, their most ranked wins in a season under Head Coach Matt Kelly and the most since 2009-10. Including the 2025-26 season, Kelly holds a 24-52-6 record against ranked opponents at Providence.
Power Play Opportunities
The Friars have had only 64 power play opportunities this season, the fewest in the country. Providence has scored 10 goals on those 64 opportunities for a 15.6 percent success rate, which ranks 31st nationally and eighth in Hockey East. The Friars have had eight games this season with just one power play opportunity and three games with none.
Kirchmair Reaches 50 Career Goals
In the Friars' game against Boston University on Saturday, Nov. 22, senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) scored her 50th career goal. The last Friar to reach 50 career goals was Sara Hjalmarsson (2018-23), who finished with 62 and sits 20th all-time in program history. Cammi Granato (1989-93) tops the career goals list with 139.
Reichen Kirchmair Named Hockey East Player Of The Week
Senior Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario) was named Hockey East Player of the Week on Monday, Oct. 27, marking her first weekly honor of the season. Kirchmair led the Friars with four goals in Friday's 7-6 overtime victory over No. 13/13 St. Thomas. She recorded a second-period hat trick in just 4:41 before netting the game-winner in overtime. The four-goal outing marked Kirchmair's second career hat trick, seventh three-point game, and second four-point game. It was also her 22nd career multi-point effort and 12th game-winning goal. Kirchmair is the first Friar to score four goals in a game since Sara Hjalmarsson did so against Maine on Nov. 19, 2022, and the first to record multiple hat tricks since Hjalmarsson, who tallied three in her career.
Returning for the Friars
Providence returns senior forward Reichen Kirchmair (Oakville, Ontario), the 2024-25 Cammi Granato Award winner as Hockey East Player of the Year and the league's scoring champion. She became the first Friar to earn Player of the Year honors since 2004-05 and the first to claim the scoring title since 2002-03. Kirchmair was the only unanimous selection to the Hockey East First Team after leading the league with 15 goals and 15 assists in conference play. The senior paced all league players with 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points in 34 games.
Junior forward Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) also returns for the Friars after being named a Hockey East First Team All-Star last season. Knapp tied for the conference lead in goals with 15, alongside Kirchmair, making them the only Friars to achieve the feat in the Hockey East era with Sara Hjalmarsson in 2022-23. The junior finished the season with 19 goals and 16 assists for 35 points.
In net, graduate student Hope Walinski (Lincoln, R.I.) returns for Providence. Walinski started 33 games for the Friars, posting a 1.87 goals against average, a .922 save percentage, four shutouts and a 19-11-3 record. Walinski was awarded as a Hockey East Third Team All-Star and named to the "Watch List" for the National Goalie of the Year Award last season.
Largest Freshman Class Since 2008-09
Providence welcomes nine freshmen to the 2025-26 roster, the most in a single class since 2008-09.
Audrey Knapp Invited to USA Hockey Women's National Festival
Junior Audrey Knapp (Stevens Point, Wis.) was invited to the 2025 USA Hockey Women's National Festival on Aug. 3-9 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y. The group is made up of 76 college and professional players, along with 46 players under the age of 18. The Festival assisted in the evaluation process for the 2026 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team.
Former Friars Selected in 2025 PWHL Draft
Former Friars Sara Hjalmarsson (Bankeryd, Sweden) '22, '23G and Brooke Becker (Orchard Park, N.Y.) '24, '25G were selected in the 2025 PWHL Draft. Hjalmarsson was chosen in the fifth round (35th overall) by the Toronto Sceptres, while Becker was taken in the sixth round (46th overall) by the Minnesota Frost. The duo becomes the third and fourth Friars in program history to be selected in the PWHL Draft, joining Sandra Abstreiter '22, '23G (2023) and Noemi Neubauerová '23G (2024).
Last Season's Second Half Climb
The Friars opened the second half of the 2024-25 season with an 8-1-0 record in January, their most wins in the month since 1998-99. Providence started the second half of the season in eighth place with 11 points through 11 games. From January through the end of the regular season, Providence earned points in 17 of its final 20 conference games, posting a 13-3-0 record in the second half, the best mark in Hockey East after the new year.
Hats Flying
Providence recorded four hat tricks in 2024-25, its most in a single season since 2004-05. Three of those came from current returners: Reichen Kirchmair, Audrey Knapp and Kiara Kraft.
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 61 points and were picked to finish behind UConn (86), Boston University (82), Northeastern University (76) and Boston College (64). The Huskies and Terriers each received five first place votes.
Fresh Friar Faces
Providence welcomes 10 new players (one transfer and nine freshmen) to the roster for the 2025-26 season. Taylor Porthan (Edina, Minn.) is a sophomore from UConn. The nine freshmen are Molly Farace (Otonabee, Ontario), Sophie Harold (Cobourg, Ontario), Mallory Hartl (Askov, Minn.), Izzy King (Bedford, Mass.), Taylor Leemrijse (Toronto, Ontario), Lauren Mack (Excelsior, Minn.), Brenna O'Reilly (Burlington, Mass.), Bella Paolucci (Groose Pointe Woods, Mich.) and Sami Snyder (Waterloo, Ontario).
Friars Under Head Coach Matt Kelly
Including the 2025-26 campaign, Matt Kelly has posted an overall record of 134-106-27 (.552) and 102-76-21 (.565) in Hockey East play. Last season's 20 wins marked the third time during Kelly's tenure the Friars have reached the 20-win mark. 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.
Kelly Reaches 100 Hockey East Wins
Providence Head Coach Matt Kelly won his 100th Hockey East game in the 3-2 victory over Merrimack College on Dec. 6. With the win, Kelly become the second coach in program history to reach 100 Hockey East wins since the league's inception in 2002-03, joining Bob Deraney. He currently ranks third all-time in program history with 132 overall wins, trailing Deraney (319) and John Marchetti (264).
Through 40
In the Kelly era, the Friars are 91-8-6 when taking the lead into the third period. They are 28-22-14 when tied after two periods and 15-76-7 when trailing.
Three is the Number
Under Kelly, Providence is 102-7-3 all-time when scoring three or more goals. The Friars are 8-0-0 this season when scoring three goals. Last season, Providence went 18-1-0 when scoring three or more, including a perfect 10-0-0 mark when scoring four and 5-0-0 when scoring five.
Scouting the Eagles and Crusaders
Boston College enters Friday with a 13-16-1 overall record and an 11-8-1 mark in Hockey East play, sitting fourth in the league standings with 33 points. The Eagles are coming off a weekend split, earning a 4-3 overtime victory at No. 13/13 Holy Cross before falling on the road to No. 6/8 UConn, 6-2. BC is 6-6-0 at home this season. No. 14/15 Holy Cross enters the weekend with an 18-10-2 overall record but is winless in its last four games. The Crusaders will head to North Andover, Mass., on Friday to face Merrimack College before traveling to Providence. All three coaches at Holy Cross, Head Coach Katie Lachapelle '99 and assistants Janine Weber '14 and Christina Putigna '19 all played and graduated from Providence College.
Who to Watch for Boston College
Freshman forward Ava Thomas leads the Eagles and Hockey East in scoring with 41 points in 30 games on 17 goals and 24 assists, averaging 1.37 points per game. Thomas also owns a team-high plus-minus rating of plus-11. The freshman posted a career-high six points in the win over the Friars last month, recording two goals and four assists. Junior Sammy Taber follows Thomas with 25 points on seven goals and 18 assists through 28 games. Taber posted four points (1-3-4) in the win over Providence last month.
In goal, senior Grace Campbell anchors the Eagles. Campbell has started 29 games and recorded 988 saves, the second-most in the nation, to go along with a 2.90 goals-against average, a .923 save percentage, a 12-16-1 record and two shutouts.
All-Time Series with the Eagles
Providence leads the all-time series against Boston College, 60-50-4. The Friars have dropped the last three contests against the Eagles, including both meetings this season. BC has outscored Providence 13-3 in the two games this year. Providence heads to Chestnut Hill winless in its last four visits, with its last win at Conte Forum coming on Jan. 27, 2024, in a 3-1 victory.
Who to Watch for Holy Cross
Freshman forward Violet Carroll leads the Crusaders with 24 points on nine goals and 15 assists through 30 games. Carroll ranks 10th in Hockey East scoring. Freshman forward Naemi Herzig ranks second on the team with 21 points on seven goals and 14 assists but is currently away on international duty with Switzerland at the Olympics.
In goal, seniors Abby Hornung and Brooke Loranger have split time for the Crusaders. Hornung has started 19 games and owns a league-best 1.54 goals-against average, along with 470 saves, a .942 save percentage, an 11-7-1 record and three shutouts. Loranger has started 12 games, posting a 1.72 goals-against average, 269 saves, a .937 save percentage, a 7-3-1 record and two shutouts. Both goaltenders played against the Friars last month.
All-Time Series with the Crusaders
Providence leads the all-time series against Holy Cross, 21-2-1. The Crusaders earned their first two victories over the Friars in program history with a weekend sweep on Jan. 23 and Jan. 24. Holy Cross defeated Providence 2-1 in Worcester, Mass., before earning a 3-0 shutout at Schneider Arena.
-GO FRIARS!-
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/ Women's Ice HockeyWomen's Ice Hockey vs. Northeastern
Saturday, February 16
Women's Ice Hockey vs. UConn
Saturday, February 02
Women's Ice Hockey vs. Boston College
Saturday, January 26
Women's Ice Hockey vs. New Hampshire
Saturday, January 19
