Women’s Hockey: Bach, Davis Rewarded in Finale from Durham

By: Max Wolpoff

Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Boston University finished off the New Hampshire Wildcats with a resounding 6-2 victory at the Whittemore Center.

Boston University improved to 19-11-2 (16-4-2 Hockey East) while New Hampshire moved to 10-21-1 (7-15-0 Hockey East).

Sophomore Victoria Bach and freshman Sammy Davis scored twice while sophomore Rebecca Leslie and junior Maddie Elia added one as well.

Senior Sarah Steele put two helpers up to put her at third among defenders in points (10) and fourth in assists (7). Bach, Elia, Kayla Tutino, Sarah Lefort, Alexis Woloschuck, Rebecca Russo, and Jordan Juron also provided assistance on goals.

Sophomore Erin O’Neil and senior Vilma Vaattovaara held the Wildcats and Terriers scoreless through twenty. Bach, whose play went unrewarded through all of Beanpot, put up four of her six shots on goal in the second period.

The Milton, Ontario native’s goals sandwhiched the equalizing strike from Cassandra Vilgrain before the middle frame hit ten minutes. A late goal from Leslie ensured her a goal in all three games against the Wildcats this season.

Amy Schlagel’s power play goal at 5:41 of the third put the Terriers on edge, but Davis restored the two goal advantage ten minutes afterward.

With Vaattovaara on the bench for the extra skater, both Davis and Elia found the yawning cage, making this the sixth game of the year where six or more goals came from the Terriers.

As it stands currently, BU is third in Hockey East with only Northeastern, in second, left to play. There is an outside chance BU can overtake Northeastern for that second spot behind Boston College; however, it would require a sweep in the home-and-home series next week.

Spots four through seven are all up for grabs; Maine is locked into the eight seed and is guaranteed to play Boston College at Conte Forum. Vermont, Providence, and UNH are tied for fifth at fourteen points. As it stands, BU would host Providence on the last weekend of February.