Women’s Hockey: Terriers Look to Get Back on Track Against UConn

By: Ty Oringer

It has been a rough season for the Boston University women’s hockey team. After a loss on Friday to the University of Maine, the Terriers are now at 0-4 for the season. Coach Brian Durocher, who has led the Terriers to 20 playoff game wins, has the ability and talent to turn it around.

The young talent has surfaced for the Terriers, and while it has not resulted in wins, the stats are there. Freshman Nara Elia has already netted two goals through the four games and will continue to see prime action as the season progresses.

BU will take on the University of Connecticut Sunday, looking to finally get its first win of the season. This has been the first time in over a decade the Terriers have gone 0-4 to start the season.

The Huskies are 3-2-1 on the season, just recently tying against No. 3 Boston College on Friday. Natalie Snodgrass already has eight points on the season, and goaltender Annie Belanger has a rousing .956 save percentage this season, tallying 45 against BC and 22 in the third period alone.

While the younger players for the Terriers like Kristina Shuler and the aforementioned Elia have carved out a role for themselves, older players like seniors Victoria Bach and Rebecca Leslie will have to play a big role in getting BU back on track.

If the combination of young and old can mesh together against the tough Huskies, Durocher and his staff may finally earn that elusive first win. Earlier in the season, Durocher acknowledged that this may be a rebuilding year after many solid winning seasons. If BU cannot execute against the Huskies, the hole they may find themselves in might signal a change in direction.

The Terriers almost need to scratch out a win here against a chippy, hard-nosed UConn team, as BU already finds itself five points off the pace in Hockey East.