Women’s Hockey: Terriers Begin 2018-19 by Hosting Huskies

By: Brian Lombardo

BOSTON – Head Coach Brian Durocher and his Terriers begin the regular season by hosting crosstown foe Northeastern University on Friday night. The Huskies of Northeastern are coming off a wildly successful 2017-18 campaign that saw them win the Hockey East Tournament.

Sophomore goaltender Corinne Schroeder is coming off a promising 2017-18 season herself, where she started 25 games and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. But Schroeder, along with the Terriers defense, will have their hands full with the Huskies offensive firepower.

Northeastern was a senior heavy team last season, but the Huskies still managed to return three of their five highest point-getters from last year. Three star forwards, Kasidy Anderson (27 pts), Veronkia Pettey (27 pts), and Tori Sullivan (23 pts) are all back for another year under Head Coach Dave Flint.

The Huskies have a super-sophomore in goal, Aerin Frankel, who posted a 10-8-2 record last season. Frankel split the workload before taking over in the postseason, being the winning goaltender of the Hockey East Championship game.

Despite the talented opening-night opponent, Durocher is remaining confident in his squad.

“We can’t have any doubts,” Durocher said. “Whether we’re down a goal or up a goal – we know how to handle it.”

Junior captain Natasza Tarnowski and the Terriers’ forwards are coming off a 7-0 victory in their lone exhibition game against Durham West, a victory that helped the offense build the confidence they need.

Friday’s game will be the first one back for redshirt junior and team captain Sammy Davis. Davis sat out the entire 2017-18 campaign due to injury.

The opener also marks a milestone for six new Terriers as the freshmen play their first collegiate game. Even Durocher, who’s about to embark on his 14th season at the helm of the Terriers, still gets pumped for each start to the year.

“These players work all through the year – they are very committed and focused,” Durocher said. “There will be plenty of excitement on Friday”

Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 5 inside Walter Brown Arena.