Terriers Fall to Providence 6-5 Despite Third Period Push

By: Ty Oringer

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Boston University women’s hockey team started slow against the #8/10 Providence College Friars on the road and came just short of a memorable comeback Saturday afternoon.

After finding themselves down 3-0 in the first period, the Terriers (7-9-3, 3-7-3 Hockey East) clawed back to a 3-2 score thanks to senior forward Victoria Bach’s two goals.  Bach has been BU’s most valuable player and among the best in the nation, as she now has an NCAA-best 23 goals this season.

With BU on the power play in the second period, Bach took a feed from classmate Rebecca Leslie and slid it home on the backhand to give the Terriers life. Later in the period, the two connected again, as Bach finished a 2-on-1 shorthanded break with Leslie.

After Providence scored again to take a 4-2 lead in the third period, freshman Nara Elia netted her fourth goal of the season, as she leads all Terriers in her class in that department, to bring BU within one.

But Providence (11-5-4, 8-1-2 Hockey East) responded, scoring twice in just over two minutes to take what looked like a commanding 6-3 lead with less than five minutes remaining.

However, the Terriers were able to finesse two very late goals from junior Mary Grace Kelley and sophomore Abbey Stanley but came up just short, falling 6-5.

Coach Brian Durocher has been adamant about seeing his team play games tough all the way until the final horn, and despite a heartbreaking loss, he was able to see his team compete at a very high level.

Thanks to the recurring young and old presence the Terriers possess, most games do seem to be there for the taking, but costly mistakes like BU’s five penalties – Providence capitalized on two power play chances – have led to an underwhelming season so far.

In sixth place in Hockey East, the Terriers have a long break to turn things around and will look to amend their ways three weeks from now on December 30th against Princeton University.