Women’s Hockey: No. 8 Terriers look to maintain unbeaten streak heading into Hockey East Playoffs

By: Patrick Donnelly

After taking three of a possible four points against New Hampshire last weekend, the No. 8 Boston University Terriers (18-6-8, 14-5-6 WHEA) will first travel to Connecticut (14-15-4, 9-13-4 WHEA) for a Friday night matchup against the Huskies before returning home to Walter Brown Arena for a Senior Day and a Saturday matinee versus Providence (20-10-2, 14-9-2 WHEA).

The Terriers have been on a tear lately, to say the least, remaining unbeaten in their last 13 contests. Over that span, the Terriers have a record of 10-0-3 with one of those ties being a shootout victory over No. 3 Northeastern in the Beanpot semifinals.

Head coach Brian Durocher’s team has also outscored its opponents 57-25 over the course of the unbeaten streak as the Terriers’ top-two producers, Sammy Davis and Jesse Compher have been all-world. Not to mention the fact that sophomore goaltender Corinne Schroeder has been just a big as factor in the streak, too, with 11-straight starts without a loss and an overall record of 15-5-7. Schroeder also boasts a goals-against average of 1.88, 15th-best in the nation, and a save percentage of .932, ninth in Division I.

As for Davis, the redshirt junior captain is riding a nine-game points streak with a ridiculous nine goals, 11 assists, and 21 points in that span. On the year, Davis has 57 points, good enough for fifth in the nation, 23 goals, fourth in Division I, and her 24 assists rank 12th in the country.

Looking at Compher, the sophomore center has been a force to be reckoned with this season as she holds an absurd 13-game scoring streak, which is as long as the Terriers’ unbeaten streak. In that frame, Compher has six goals and 15 assists for 21 points. Compher’s 55 points on the season are the second-most in the nation, while she ranks in the top-20 for goals with 17 and second in assists (38).

Natasza Tarnowski is also among the Terriers who have been hot of late, with three points in her last two games (2G, 1A) while Abbey Stanley has five assists in her last six games.

As for the Huskies, they have fallen off the rails in the last few weeks, with a record of 1-6-3 over their last ten. In the season series between the two sides, BU is 1-0-1, tying UCONN 1-1 at Walter Brown before winning 4-1 in Connecticut. Friday night will be the season finale for the Huskies.

For head coach Chris MacKenzie’s team, sophomore forward Natalie Sondgrass has led the way with 13 goals, 12 assists, and 25 points while junior Catherine Crawley has 10 goals and 14 assists for 24 points. Not to mention Briana Colangelo and Morgan Wabick who have 24 and 22 points on the year, respectively.

Crawley has two assists against BU this season in the teams’ two meetings this season while Wabick and Tristen Svetek each have a goal to go along with Sondgrass’ assist. On the Terriers side of things, Davis and Compher each have two goals and two assists against the Huskies this season while Stanley has two assists. Connor Galway, Breana Scarpaci, and Abby Cook each have assists as well versus UCONN.

Junior goaltender Morgan Fisher was in net for both games against BU this season while Schroeder got the call for the Terriers in both contests. On the year, Fisher has an 11-14-3 record to go along with a 2.38 GAA and .917 save percentage.

Looking at Saturday’s Senior Day matchup against the Friars, the Terriers and Providence have squared off twice thus far with the Terriers taking both contests with the decisions being 5-3 and 4-2.

The Friars will be coming into the matchup after they visit Holy Cross on Friday night. Head coach Matt Kelly’s team ranks just outside the top-10 in Division I as the Friars have been led by Maureen Murphy, whose 40 points rank 12th in the nation. Murphy also ranks seventh in goals with 21 in addition to her 19 helpers.

For Durocher’s Terriers, Davis potted two goals and Compher added three assists versus Providence so far this season. Tarnowski and Kaleigh Donnelly each have three points against the Friars this year to go along with Deziray De Sousa’s four points in the two games.

Senior goaltender Madison Myers started both games against the Terriers, and has a 19-9-2 record for the season. Myers’ 1.84 GAA ranks 12th in the nation and her .924 save percentage ranks inside the top-20 as well. Schroeder got the start in net for BU in both previous contests as well. Saturday’s matchup also marks the regular season finale for both the Friars and Terriers.

The action kicks off on Friday night at 6 p.m. in Connecticut before the Terriers return home for a Saturday matinee on Senior Day versus Providence at 3 p.m.