Women’s Hockey: Terriers bounce back to secure series split with Vermont

By Owen Gund

The Boston University Terriers (5-4) got the offensive production they have been desperately seeking lately in a 3-1 victory over Vermont (6-3) on Saturday night at Walter Brown Arena.

“It is nice to get the win today that is for sure, and I think it’s nice to get the win how we got it,” said BU assistant coach Tara Watchorn. “We played with attention to detail, team goals through and through, and we were playing together as a unit of five.”

The majority of BU’s offensive production came from their top line of junior forward Mackenna Parker, senior co-captain Jesse Compher and freshman forward Catherine Foulem.

Compher finished with two goals and an assist, Parker tallied a goal and a helper, and Foulem added an assist on Compher’s go-ahead goal in the second period. The Terriers dominated in zone time, especially in the final period, and they found a way to convert when they earned Grade ‘A’ scoring chances. 

“I think our team as a whole came out with a little bit more compete in us and I think we were ready to go today,” Compher said.

The evening did not start off the way the Terriers had hoped.

Midway through the opening period Vermont junior forward Theresa Schafzahl found herself wide open at the top of the left wing circle and beat BU junior goaltender Kate Stuart with a wrist shot just inside the far post.

BU controlled the play for the final five minutes of the first period, but couldn’t find a way to solve UVM freshman netminder Jessie McPherson. The Terriers entered the first intermission trailing 1-0.

The Terriers’ deficit would not linger for long.

Just 1:31 into the middle frame, Parker collected a pass from Compher and quickly snapped a shot on goal. McPherson was unable to corral the puck and it trickled underneath her, and the game was tied at one apiece.

With the secondary assist on Parker’s tally, freshman defender Tamara Giaquinto picked up her first collegiate point.

Following Parker’s equalizer, the Terriers hounded the Catamounts on the forecheck and made it difficult for them to break out of their own zone. BU dominated in puck possession, but struggled to get shots through as the Catamounts did a nice job taking away shooting lanes.

Midway through the second period UVM senior forward Olivia Kilberg nearly put the Catamounts ahead on a 2-on-1 opportunity. Kate Stuart stood tall, however, stretching out her left pad to make the kick save.

Just minutes later, Compher was able to one-time a feed from Foulem past McPherson to give the Terriers the lead.

Stuart withstood a push from UVM late in the second and drew a slashing penalty on UVM freshman forward Maddy Skelton that gave the Terriers the power play heading into the second intermission.

BU’s power play has struggled to convert for much of 2021, but not on Saturday.

Just ten seconds into the third period, Parker drove the puck to the net and forced a rebound that senior co-captain Nara Elia was able to bang home. Parker’s speed was on full display, one of her strengths that stands out most to her teammates.

“Mackenna Parker is a great player,” Compher said. “Her speed is one of her best assets. I’m pretty lucky to play with her.”

Compher added an empty net goal with 32 seconds remaining to put the icing on the cake for the Terriers. Kate Stuart made 27 saves in the victory for BU.

With the win the Terriers held their seventh place position in the Hockey East standings. BU will need to crack the top six if they want to earn a bye in the first round of the playoffs.

The Terriers will likely return to action next week, and will learn who their next opponent is on Tuesday afternoon as the league has reverted to creating the schedule on a week-by-week basis.

Featured Image: Senior co-captain and forward Jesse Compher skates with the puck in a game against Vermont at Walter Brown Arena on Feb. 13, 2021. Photo by Patrick Donnelly.

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