ATTENTION SPORTS        FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2002        Contact Jorge Rocha
        (401) 865-2201


Providence men’s hockey defeats union, 5-2,
in season opener

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Providence College men’s hockey team opened the
2002-03 season with a 5-2 victory over Union College on Friday, October 11
at Schneider Arena.  Graduate student Peter Fregoe (Massena, N.Y.) tallied
his third career hat trick to lead the Friars.
        The Dutchmen took a 1-0 lead just 36 seconds into the first period as
senior Nathan Gillies scored off assists from sophomores Jordan Webb and
Joel Beal.  Fregoe scored the first of his three goals at the 5:16 mark of
the second period to tie the game at 1-1.  Union regained the lead as Matt
Blabac recorded his first goal of the season.  The Friars quickly responded
as Fregoe notched his second goal of the game to make the score, 2-2.
Senior Jon DiSalvatore (S. Windsor, Conn.) and sophomore Eric Lundberg
(Vernon, Conn) assisted on the goal.  DiSalvatore finished with three
assists and is three points shy of reaching his 100th career point.
        The Friars scored two goals over a 1:18 span late in the second period to
take over the game.  Senior Shawn Weiman (Marshall, Sask.) collected a
loose puck in front of the net and put the Friars up, 3-2.  Moments later
while the Friars were short handed, DiSalvatore made a strong rush and
fired a shot, which was saved by Union goaltender Tim Roth.  Fregoe
capitalized on the rebound and finished off his three-goal evening with
nine seconds remaining in the second period.  Junior Peter Zingoni finished
off the scoring for the night as he rifled a wrist shot at 8:15.  Fregoe’s
hat trick was the first for a PC player since Devin Rask (Parkside, Sask.)
scored three goals against Maine on February 16, 2002.
        The Friars outshot the Skating Dutchmen, 38-23.  Senior Nolan Schaefer
(Yellow Grass, Sask.) made 21 saves in net for the Friars, while Roth
stopped 33 shots.
        The Friars return to home ice on Saturday, October 12 as they host Iona at
7:00 p.m.



Friday, October 11, 2002
Union College (0-1)     1       1       0       --      2
Providence College (1-0)        0       4       1       --      5

Per     Time    Team    Goal Scorer (Assists)
1       00:36   UC      Nathan Gillies (Jordan Webb, Joel Beal)
2       5:16    PC      Peter Fregoe (Jeff Mason, Jon DiSalvatore)
2       11:29   UC      Matt Blabac (Jordan Webb)
2       13:43   PC      Peter Fregoe (Jon DiSalvatore, Eric Lundberg)
2       18:33   PC      Shawn Weiman (Jonathan Goodwin, Torry Gajda)
2       19:51   PC      Peter Fregoe (Jon DiSalvatore, Eric Lundberg)  SH
3       8:15    PC      Peter Zingoni (James Pemberton, Peter Fregoe)



Saves:
Tim Roth (UC)           7       12      14      --      33      (59:15)
Nolan Schaefer (PC)     10      8       3       --      21      (60:00)

Attendance: 1,626 (Schneider Arena)


- Friars -