Women’s Hockey: Terriers edge Providence on the road

By Owen Gund

The Boston University Terriers improved to 5-1-3 (4-0-3 HEA) with a 2-1 road victory over the Providence College Friars (3-2-2, 2-1-0 HEA). 

“We looked like a completely different team from Friday night,” BU head coach Brian Durocher said after the game. “Right from the get-go, we started collecting pucks and catching passes, and our confidence sort of built from there.” 

Just four minutes into the game, sophomore forwaard Catherine Foulem broke the ice for BU with her second goal of the season. Sophomore forward Claire O’Leary spun around and threw the puck in front from the right corner. The puck hit the side of the cage and bounced right out to Foulem, where she one-timed it over the left shoulder of Providence graduate goaltender Sandra Abstreiter.

With eight seconds left in the first period, Christina Vote doubled the Terrier lead with her third goal of the season. The first-year forward from Arlington, Mass., snuck behind the Friar defense and roofed the puck glove side on the breakaway. O’Leary picked up her second primary assist of the afternoon on the goal.

O’Leary played a more prominent role in both BU games this weekend, and after Sunday’s game, Durocher was complimentary of her play.

“I thought [O’Leary] played very well,” Durocher said. “She protects the puck well, she’s strong with the puck, and whatever speed she plays the game at, it doesn’t drop when she gets the puck,” he added.

Heading into the locker rooms after the first, the Terriers held a 2-0 lead and a 12-7 advantage in shots on goal.

“They’re a good team… they got a few opportunities, and they capitalized on them,” Providence captain Caroline Peterson said of the Terriers after the first period.

Neither team made a strong push in the second period as both teams looked tired. Scoring chances were rare, and both goaltenders played poised in the net.

With two minutes to go in the middle frame, the Friars sprung fifth-year forward Haley Lunny on a breakaway, but Terrier senior goaltender Kate Stuart denied the Bedford, N.Y., native with a right pad save and also kicked out the rebound.

Neither team got on the scoresheet in the second period, and the Terriers held a two-goal lead heading into the third period.

Stuart picked up right where she left off and made several big saves in the opening five minutes of the third.

The Friars continued to pressure and broke through roughly nine minutes into the third.

With 11:13 to go in the game, senior forward Sara Hjalmarsson earned her first point of the season on a top-shelf snipe. 

The Bankeryd, Sweden native picked the top left corner and caught Stuart off guard with a quick wrist shot from just inside the blue line.

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The Friars had an opportunity to tie it up when Terrier forward Mackenna Parker took a slashing penalty with 10:19 to go in the game, but the Terriers killed off the penalty thanks to a handful of fine saves from Stuart.

With one minute remaining, Providence pulled Abstreiter for an extra attacker. The Friars forechecked hard, but the Terriers preserved their lead to earn their third road victory of the season.

It was a valiant effort for the Terriers, who remain unbeaten in Hockey East play

Up next, the Terriers have a home-and-home against the University of Connecticut. Friday’s matchup is in Storrs, Conn., and will start at 6 p.m time.

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