Women’s Hockey: Terriers split weekend series vs. Vermont with Saturday loss

By Bobby Serafin

BURLINGTON, VT– It was the Theresa Schafzahl Show at Gutterson Fieldhouse as the senior potted her first career hat-trick in her final game at Gutterson Fieldhouse, as Boston University (11-13-5, 10-8-4 HE)  fell to the Vermont Catamounts (20-10-2, 17-7-1 HE) by a final of 5-2.

The Austrian native now has 20 goals on the season, which puts her within one of the school’s single season record, set back in 2014 by Amanda Pelkey. While Schafzahl and the other veteran leaders stepped up for UVM to correct Friday night’s mistakes, the Terriers core was unable to put together another inspiring performance to complete the season sweep. 

The Catamounts have already set a program record for Hockey East wins with 17, and Jim Plumer’s squad is also looking to set the school record for best win percentage for a single season.

With both teams fighting for seeding in Hockey East, the Terriers leave themselves in a battle for fifth place with the University of Maine, while UVM continues to hold onto the second spot with UConn hot on their tail. 

Unlike Friday’s contest, the Terriers were unable to get off to a hot start, losing the shots battle in the first 14-9. Their puck movement wasn’t particularly quick, which created golden chances for Vermont the entire game. 

The Catamounts struck just five minutes into the first period, with a turnover at the BU blue line leading to a breakaway that saw Reagan Miller beat Callie Shanahan stick side to put UVM ahead. It was Miller’s fifth goal of the season as she looks to be one of the bright youngsters on this veteran heavy roster. 

Shanahan held the fort for the remainder of the period, despite Vermont dominating offensive zone time with a relentless attack.  

History repeated itself in the second as the Catamounts scored just over five minutes into the period through the first of Schafzahl’s three goals. The senior was left alone in front of the net, let a backhand go that slowly slipped by Shanahan, and after a few seconds the referees ruled a goal for UVM. Alyssa Holmes and Kristina Shanahan helped set up play in the crease. 

At 13:25, it was Schafzahl again lighting the lamp, this time on special teams. BU’s power play, which struck on Friday, turned it over to the Catamounts forward, who showed great speed through the neutral zone to break away from any chasing Terriers. 

Once in on Shanahan, there was only one winner as Schafzahl wristed a laser low on Shanahan to put BU into desperation mode. The goal was assisted by Kristina Shanahan, but it was Schafzahl’s excellent defensive play that set up her own chance.

The Terriers and Catamounts swapped momentum for the remainder of the second frame, but BU came out hard in the third period as they looked to rally, in spite of UVM’s perfect 15-0-0 record when leading after two periods. 

Once again, the five minute mark plagued BU, as Vermont made it 4-0 just 5:03 into the third. This time Kristina Shanahan, the provider of two earlier goals became the beneficiary of a lucky bounce. 

The graduate student let a wrister fly from the left circle, which was initially stopped by Callie Shanahan, but everyone seemed to lose sight of the puck. Turns out the puck was stuck inside the back of the goaltender’s jersey, and as she attempted to move from side to side in her crease, the puck slipped out and behind her into the net for Kristina Shanahan’s 15th of the year. 

BU finally breached UVM’s defense and ended Jessie McPherson’s shutout bid with just under 90 seconds to go, as a beautiful touch pass from sophomore forward Lacey Martin found a driving Nadia Mattivi in front, and the junior defender tipped home her third of the year to put BU on the board. 

Shortly after, Schafzahl bursted through the neutral zone and wristed a howitzer to the top right corner to get her hat trick. Alyssa Holmes grabbed her second helper of the night and Antonia Matzak also got in on the action.

The scoring wasn’t done just yet as the Terriers strung together another smooth passing sequence in the offensive zone that senior forward Mackenna Parker coolly finished for her 10th goal of the season.  

The sound of the final buzzer marked BU’s third loss in four games. With Maine right behind them, the Terriers still have work to do to secure a quality seed in Hockey East. Their next chance to bounce back will be against the Black Bears on Tuesday at Walter Brown Arena. Puck drop is set for 4 p.m.

Featured Image by Carolyn Mooney

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