Women’s Hockey: Terriers look to continue strong start against Merrimack
By Alexandra Abrams
The Boston University women’s ice hockey team (3-0-1, 3-0-1 HE) remains undefeated in regulation for the 2021-22 season after a strong weekend with a 2-1 win versus No. 2 Northeastern and a shootout loss against the New Hampshire Wildcats. BU is set to take on the Merrimack Warriors (0-5-0, 0-1-1 HE) Friday night at home.
Merrimack has yet to earn a win this season with a 2-1 loss to Boston College last Friday. Leading BC in shots on goal 35-26, Merrimack put up a fight with many offensive opportunities but was ultimately edged out by the Eagles.
The Terriers will face the Warriors for the first time since February, when they won 2-0 with a shutout by then-senior goalie Corinne Schroeder. BU has put up 11 wins against Merrimack and only lost twice since their first matchup in 2015.
After an impressive performance this past weekend, senior goalie Kate Stuart is expected to dominate the net as the team’s starting goalie in this week’s matchup. Stuart, who had never played against Northeastern before last weekend, showed her control over the game with 35 saves against the Huskies. She made 30 saves at New Hampshire Saturday night.
First-year forward Christina Vote was announced Monday as Hockey East Rookie of the Week. Vote scored the game-winning goal in the matchup versus Northeastern during BU’s fifth and final power-play of the night. Continuing to prove herself as an asset to the team, Vote scored her second collegiate goal in the UNH game. Ready at the net, Vote redirected senior defenseman Alex Allen’s shot, tying up the score in the first period.
Freshman forward Kylie Roberts is another player to watch out for as she starts her first season at BU with two goals already. Posting up at the net on Saturday night, she caught the rebound of senior forward Courtney Correia’s shot on cage, cashing in her second goal of the season.
Correia lit the lamp herself on Saturday night, and with her second goal of the season under her belt she’s expected to come out against Merrimack with the same intensity. Senior forward Mackenna Parker is another player who’s a huge part of the team’s leadership and is expected to bring out the offensive pressure versus the Warriors.
With a tough loss against Boston College, Merrimack is expected to play with some edge in their matchup against the Terriers. Junior forward Madison Oelkers scored the only goal for the Warriors this past weekend, but junior goalie Emma Gorski looked confident on the ice with 24 saves.
Friday’s game will be the only matchup for the Terriers this weekend. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
Featured Image by Patrick Donnelly