Women’s Hockey: Terriers set for tough test with No. 3 Northeastern

By Sasha Abrams

The Boston University Terriers (9-7-4, 8-4-3 HE) head into the weekend with an unexpected matchup against the No. 3 Northeastern University Huskies (18-2-1, 13-2-1 HE) following the postponement of the Terriers’ series with the University of Maine Black Bears (8-13-1, 6-8-1 HE) previously scheduled for Jan. 14 and 15. 

The Terriers will face the Huskies at Walter Brown Arena on Saturday afternoon, with puck drop set for 3 p.m. This match will replace the contest between BU and Northeastern originally scheduled for Jan.22 at Agganis Arena.

The series between Northeastern and the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (8-12-2, 6-8-1 HE) initially set for this weekend was also postponed; however, the Huskies matchup with the Boston College Eagles (10-8-0, 8-5-0 HE) scheduled for Jan. 18 will still be held at Conte Forum. 

BU has now seen a two-week break from the ice since their rivalry matchup against Boston College was also postponed last weekend due to COVID-19 protocols. The Terriers’ last match was a 3-0 loss to Penn State on Jan. 2 in the Battle at the ‘Burgh. The Terriers look forward to being at Walter Brown Arena again, after BU hasn’t played with the home advantage since sweeping Merrimack 4-1 on Dec. 4.  

Northeastern did not bring BU any trouble the last time they went at it on the ice earlier this season when the Terriers defeated the Huskies 2-1 on Oct. 8. Since the matchup with BU, Northeastern has only lost one out of 18 games they’ve played. BU is 32-23-9 against Northeastern all-time, with a 13-12-3 record at Walter Brown Arena.  

Currently first in the conference by 10 points, the Huskies are led by senior forward Maureen Murphy with 13 goals in 21 games, while tying senior defender Skylar Fontaine in points (26) who carries the team with 22 assists in 21 games. Senior forward Alina Mueller is second posting 23 points (5g, 18a) in only 13 games, after claiming seven points in the series with Merrimack last weekend. Senior forward Chloe Aurard is their second-highest scorer with 12 goals in 15 games (10a, 22p).  

In the goal for Northeastern, senior goaltender Aerin Frankel has appeared in 16 out of 21 games with an impressive 14-1-1 record, a .964 save percentage, a .88 goals-against average, and six shutout wins. Junior goaltender Gwyneth Philips is 4-1-0, with a .957 save percentage, a 1.01 GAA, and one shutout win in five games. 

For BU, senior forward Courtney Correia is on top with 20 points (10g, 10a). Senior forward Mackenna Parker comes in second for both goals (eight) and points (15). Junior forward Julia Nearis is right behind with 14 points (4g, 10a).   

Terrier goaltender Kate Stuart holds a 4-5-4 record with a .922 save percentage, and a 2.12 goals-against average. Freshman goaltender Callie Shanahan has a 5-2-0 record with a .932 save percentage, a 1.86 goals-against average, and one shutout in seven games. 

The Terriers will play the Huskies next weekend for their scheduled Jan. 21 game at Northeastern, with the puck set to drop at 4 p.m.

Featured Image by Joe Eachus