Women’s Hockey: Terriers return to action at the Battle at the ‘Burgh

By Patrick Donnelly

The Boston University Terriers (9-6-3, 8-4-3 HE) will return from the holiday break to take on the Syracuse University Orange (6-9-4, 5-3-0-1 CHA) for the first time in program history in the Battle at the ‘Burgh semifinals on Saturday at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ practice facility, in Cranberry Township, Penn.

The winner of this game will take on the winner between the Penn State University Nittany Lions (10-6-2, 4-2-0 CHA) and the St. Cloud State University Huskies (6-11-2, 2-11-1 WCHA) in the championship game on Sunday.

The Terriers, Orange and Huskies are yet to play at a neutral site so far this season. The Nittany Lions are 1-1-0 at neutral sites this season, losing to Ohio State in the championship game of the D1 in D.C. tournament after beating Minnesota-Duluth.

Senior forward Abby Moloughney paces Syracuse in goals (seven) and points (15) in 19 games on the season. Freshman forward Madison Primeau (nine points) also has seven goals. Sophomore forward Sarah Marchand has five goals and nine assists, and senior forward Lauren Bellefontaine has six goals and six assists.

In goal, senior Arielle DeSmet has a 5-6-3 record with a .931 save percentage, a 2.25 goals-against average and one shutout in 16 appearances. Graduate goaltender Allison Small is 1-3-1 with an .894 save percentage, a 3.18 GAA and one shutout in six appearances.

For BU, senior forward Courtney Correia leads the way with 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in 18 games. Senior forward Mackenna Parker (seven goals, seven assists) and junior forward Julia Nearis (four goals, 10 assists) each have 14 points in 18 and 16 games, respectively.

Between the pipes, senior Kate Stuart holds a 4-5-3 record to go along with a .925 save percentage and a 2.03 GAA in 12 games. Freshman goaltender Callie Shanahan is 5-1-0 with a .932 save percentage, a 1.83 GAA and one shutout in six appearances.

Looking at the Nittany Lions, senior forward Natalie Heising has 12 goals and 12 assists for 24 points in 18 games. Sophomore forward Kiara Zanon has 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) on the year, and junior forward Julie Gough has 11 points (seven goals, four assists). In goal, sophomore Josie Bothun has a .917 save percentage, a 1.88 GAA and four shutouts in addition to a 10-6-2 record, starting all 18 games for Penn State this season.

For St. Cloud, junior forward Taylor Lind leads the Huskies in scoring with 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 17 games this season. Senior forward Jenniina Nylund has seven goals and seven assists, and sophomore forward Emma Gentry (12 points) leads the team with nine goals. In net, sophomore Sanni Ahola is 4-8-0 with an .894 save percentage and a 3.76 GAA in 14 appearances. Graduate goaltender Emma Polusney holds a .910 save percentage and a 3.15 GAA in addition to a 2-3-1 record.

Puck drop for Saturday’s semifinal between BU and Syracuse is at 4 p.m. Penn State and St. Cloud State will square off at 7 p.m. Sunday’s championship game will be held at 3 p.m., while the consolation will be at 12 p.m.

Featured Image by Joe Eachus