Belchetz, Dominant Shot Attack Power No. 11 UConn Past Providence, 3-0

STORRS, CT — No. 11 UConn women’s hockey extended its winning streak to four consecutive games on Friday afternoon, overwhelming the Providence Friars in a 3-0 shutout victory at the Toscano Family Ice Forum. With the win, the Huskies remain unbeaten in Hockey East play at 4-0-1 and improve to 7-4-2 overall on the season.

UConn dictated the pace from the opening puck drop, peppering Providence goaltender Bianca Birrittieri with early chances and finishing the first period with a commanding 18-6 shot advantage. Despite spending much of the middle frame on consecutive power plays following a pair of Friars minor penalties, the Huskies were repeatedly turned away by Birrittieri, keeping the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

The Huskies finally broke through early in the second period. Sophomore forward Peyton Anzivino buried her second goal of the season—which also stood up as her second game-winner of the campaign—to put UConn ahead 1-0.UConn continued to apply relentless pressure throughout the middle stanza, outshooting Providence 16-10 and earning two more power-play chances, though Birrittieri kept the visitors within one heading into the final period.

Providence mounted an early push to start the third, testing UConn netminder Taylor Belchetz. Belchetz stood tall,turning aside every shot she faced on her way to a 26-save shutout.

UConn created breathing room with five minutes left in regulation after a Providence tripping penalty. Junior captain Claire Murdoch capitalized on the advantage, netting a power-play goal—her third tally of the season—to double the Huskies' lead to 2-0. Sophomore defender True Thompson put the game out of reach three minutes later, scoring her first goal of the season with two minutes remaining to seal the 3-0 victory.

Game Notes & Standout Performances

• Offensive Barrage: UConn outshot Providence 46-26 on the afternoon, marking the second consecutive game in which the Huskies have registered at least 46 shots on goal. Freshman/sophomore skater Maya Serdachny led the charge with a career-high nine shots, eclipsing her previous mark of seven.
• Leader on the Ice: Murdoch finished with a two-point night (one goal, one assist) alongside seven shots on goal, extending her assist streak to three straight games.
• Milestone Night: Ellie Markakis recorded a career-high two assists in the victory.
• Special Teams & Possession: The Huskies went 1-for-7 on the power play while successfully killing off both of Providence’s man-advantage opportunities. In the faceoff circle, UConn dominated 35-21, anchored by Martha Mobarak’s season-high 15 faceoff wins. Defensively, UConn blocked 12 shots—reaching double digits in blocks for the third straight contest—while Providence blocked 17.

Up Next

The Huskies will look to complete the home-and-home weekend sweep when they travel to Schneider Arena in Providence, R.I., today. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST.