Women’s Hockey: Terriers swept by UConn with 1-0 loss

By Patrick Donnelly

Graduate forward Natalie Snodgrass scored the lone goal off the game as the University of Connecticut Huskies (10-1, 6-1 HE) took down the Boston University Terriers (5-3-3, 4-2-3 HE) 1-0 at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday. The win marks a weekend sweep of the Terriers for UConn after winning 2-1 at home on Friday.

“I’ve gotta give a lot of credit to UConn for a big weekend, a successful weekend for them,” BU head coach Brian Durocher said. “I like the spirit and the fight our team had.”

The Huskies’ 10-1 record is the best start to a season in program history. Snodgrass’ fourth of the season was unassisted. Senior netminder Samantha Carpentier-Yelle made 15 saves for UConn, who have now won three straight games.

Senior goaltender Kate Stuart made 27 saves for the Terriers. Senior forward Mackenna Parker had five shots on goal. The Terriers have lost three of their last six contests.

Snodgrass scored at 7:42 of the first. The Eagan, Minn., native stole the puck from BU senior forward Emma Wuthrich just inside the Terrier blue line before sending a wrist shot high, blocker side past Stuart.

UConn outshot the Terriers 14-10 through the first two periods, although each team had six shots on goal in the second.

“We know what we have to work on this week: the need to get to the net a little faster, make the small passes that create openings and just to put things away,” Durocher said. “In the first two periods we probably shot it over the net a half dozen times. That doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the goalie or the other team.”

BU struggled to generate offense for most of the game, save for a late push in the third period, but the Terriers were unable to beat Carpentier-Yelle. Despite the final surge from BU, the Huskies still outshot the Terriers 14-5 in the final 20 minutes.

UConn was 0-for-5 on the power play. The Terriers were 0-for-1.

“I know we had a couple chances and kept pushing in the third period, but we probably gave up too much to get one,” Durocher said. “Thanks to [Stuart] for coming up with some big saves… We were there at the end to pull the goalie and maybe see what we can do.

“Compliments to [Stuart] and compliments to the penalty killers.”

UConn will host Brown on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

BU will return to action on Thursday, kicking off a home-and-home with Holy Cross at 6 p.m. on the road before returning home to Walter Brown Arena on Friday at 7 p.m.

Featured Image by Patrick Donnelly