Women’s Hockey: Terriers look to string wins together against Maine, BC
By Sasha Abrams
After breaking their three-game losing streak last weekend against Holy Cross, the Boston University Terriers (6-4-3, 5-3-3 HE) will face off in the Battle of Commonwealth Avenue on Sunday against the Boston College Eagles (7-4-0, 5-3-0 HE), following a matchup with the Maine Black Bears (4-8-1, 2-5-1 HE) on Friday.
The weekend’s matchups kick off in Orono Friday night for the Terriers’ first meeting with the Black Bears this season. BU will then host BC at Walter Brown Arena on Sunday. The puck drop is set for 3 p.m.
Maine is coming off their series from last weekend at the University of Connecticut, shutting them out 1-0 on Friday and tying 4-4 on Saturday with a victory in the shootout. BU on the other hand took their first loss ever against Holy Cross on Thursday, but redeemed themselves quickly on Friday night, beating the Crusaders 3-1 to complete the home-and-home split.
The last time the teams saw each other, Maine shut out the Terriers 2-0 on Jan. 24. The teams still split the weekend with BU shutting them out 1-0 the day before. The Terriers are due for a trip to Orono as BU has hosted their last six matchups.
Black Bears’ junior forward Ida Kuoppala scored the first goal of the night in their game and continues to be a leader on the ice this season, as she’s tied for most points with senior Ally Johnson at nine a piece. Johnson leads the team in goals (6g, 3a) and Kuoppala leads in assists (2g, 7a).
Terrier Courtney Correia leads BU with a team high of 12 points (6g, 6a). The senior is followed closely by junior Julia Nearis, who has 11 points (3g, 8a).
BU senior goaltender Kate Stuart posts a 1.75 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage and should be ready to play after she had a break on Saturday night, with freshman Callie Shanahan stepping in behind the net.
BU and BC will meet for the 63rd time on Sunday for a long-awaited rivalry game. BU only claims 23 wins against the Eagles, who have 32 wins over the Terriers, leaving seven games in ties. BU looks to play with a bit of an edge after they were defeated 2-0 in their most recent matchup with the Eagles on Feb. 20. However the Terriers have come out on top the four matchups before that.
No.10 BC hosts Holy Cross on Friday night, coming off their weekend split with Providence.
BC freshman Abby Newhook and junior Hannah Bilka lead the team with nine points each, Newhook with six goals and three assists and Bilka with four goals and five assists. BC goaltender Abigail Levy totals a 2.09 goals-against average and a .943 save percentage.
BU hits the road first to face the Black Bears on Friday. The puck drop is set for 6 p.m.
Featured Image by Patrick Donnelly