BU-UVM Women’s Hockey Preview

By: Ty Oringer

BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Boston University women’s hockey team will take on the University of Vermont Catamounts this weekend in a two-game series following a 2-2 tie last Friday against the staunch University of Connecticut Huskies.

Times have been tough for the Terriers (2-6-2) as they look to get back on track.  A win in either of the two games this weekend would the first for Coach Brian Durocher’s squad on the road in the 2017-18 season, something that BU has struggled with in the past, going 6-6-2 on the road last year with a 19-12-6 record overall.

Despite the losing record, senior forward Victoria Bach is still performing at high level, totaling 14 points so far this season, and contributing an assist her last game out against the Huskies. She will need to bring her leadership and top skill, along with senior forward Rebecca Leslie, to a win against a tough UVM unit.

The Catamounts have put together an up-and-down season, coming in at 5-7-1 and splitting a two-game series against Clarkson last week.  UVM is being outshot an eye-popping 454-301, but have maintained a respectable record.  Durocher and his staff are going to look to take advantage of the shots allowed by a hard-nosed, Jim Plumer-led team.

Both the Terriers and Catamounts made it to the Hockey East Semifinals last year and suffered losses to Northeastern University and Boston College, respectively.  Thus far on the year both teams are in a find-our-way type period, but the season is just entering its core.

There is a potent young presence with BU, especially with freshman forward Nara Elia and sophomore defenseman Abby Cook, but the combination of old and new is what is likely going to propel the Terriers to a good season. And while the results have not come to fruition, there is still a lot of time before season’s end.