Women’s Hockey: No. 9 Terriers look for a big bounce back weekend versus No. 8 Boston College

After a break in the action of over a week, the Boston University Terriers (10-4-1, 5-4-1 HEAW), will dive right back in with a weekend series against fierce rival Boston College (11-4-2, 10-3-1 HEAW).

The Terriers will be out for revenge against the Eagles after being handed a tough 4-2 loss in their first matchup back on November 15th.

“[These games] do mean more, especially since last year’s Hockey East [semifinals] didn’t go as planned . . . this year is a chance to prove every game against them that we can play with them,” said senior Deziray De Sousa.

De Sousa and her linemates, Kristina Schuler and Nara Elia, have combined for 20 points over the Terriers last five games, and have held down the fort while the first line has gotten back in rhythm.

“All [three] of us have grown as players and worked really hard. Each of us individually have been trying to be more of offensive,” De Sousa said on her line.

The Terriers are 5-1 in their last six games, with their only loss of the last month coming against BC. “I expect just about what we got last game. They can bring four lines of players out there.

“They’re working as a team, they’re playing consistent, they’re getting contributions,” said head coach Brian Durocher.

Despite the fact that BU has not played in almost two weeks, both De Sousa and Durocher expect that that won’t present a problem.

“We’ve worked really hard in our few practices. They’ve been high-intensity,” De Sousa said. “It’s that time of year where they’ve had enough hockey. There’s gonna be a whisker of slight rust, but it won’t be much,” Durocher added.

The Terriers may be catching the Eagles on a rough stretch with just one win in their last five games, but Durocher knows that his team needs to be ready for a fight.

“Our job is to get points this weekend, because we can put ourselves in a nice position going forward. We have to stay as hockey-sharp as we can until early January. It’s a long season and [they] can use a break.