Women’s Hockey: Terriers’ Effort Evident in 2-0 Loss to No. 5 Yale
By Gracie Davenport
Boston University Women’s Hockey (6-9-0, 5-7-0 HE) was shut out 2-0 against the No. 5 University of Yale Bulldogs (7-0-0) in Game 1 of the Henderson Collegiate Hockey Showcase, which took place at the Lifeguard Arena in Henderson, Nevada.
Although the Terriers were unable to get on the scoresheet, they kept themselves in a scoreless battle for over 50 minutes. In the final five minutes of regulation, the Bulldogs struck twice to take the game.
In a similar fashion to their preceding games, the Bulldogs put the pressure on in the first period. BU was significantly outshot and had to rely on graduate goaltender Andrea Brändli and defenders to block Yale’s flurry of shots. Freshman defender Brooke Disher led the game in blocked shots; all three of her shot blocks came in the first period.
“The ice surface is fantastic, so it created a real quick game,” BU Head Coach Brian Durocher said. “Yale’s a real good skating team. I think other than the first 10-12 minutes, we hung in there and did a nice job staying with them.”
Brändli had to come up big for the Terriers in a lopsided first 20 minutes. The Bulldogs outshot BU 16-2. Playing in her 100th career game, Brändli worked to keep the game tied 0-0.
“She’s been a real stabilizer in the games she’s played, but also just as a person,” Durocher said. “I think everybody recognizes the maturity level and the poise and the composure that she has. She’s been very much an anchor for us.”
In the second period, the Terriers took hold of the reins as the momentum swung in their favor. During the middle frame’s only power play, BU was able to create some quality scoring chances but failed to convert.
BU outshot Yale 15-6, and junior forward Lacey Martin had four shots on goal. In the end, Bulldogs sophomore goaltender Pia Dukaric stood strong. The Slovenian netminder leads the nation in save percentage (.973) and goals against average (0.71).
“We started making the real easy passes, the five- and 10-foot passes,” Durocher said. “Maybe they came out just a little bit casual after really outshooting us in the first period. We kept the pace going. [We were] making some hockey plays, people were going to the net, and it’s unfortunate we couldn’t find a goal to change the complexion of the game.”
The third period proved to be a more back-and-forth style of play. The Bulldogs just edged out the Terriers in shots on net 10-9. With 5:06 remaining, Yale’s freshman forward Carina DiAntonio picked up her fourth goal of the season to break the ice. Sophomore forward Emma Harvey followed 37 seconds later to notch her first of the season.
“There’s five minutes left, and we gave up a two-on-one. [It was] a pretty nice play by them,” Durocher said. “They just held on to that composure and slid it across at the last second; the kid tipped it in. Then before we could get the goalie out, they had come back with a second goal.”
BU came into this game riding a season-best three-game win streak, but their efforts were not enough to trump the undefeated Bulldogs. Brändli finished her night with 30 saves, and BU led in blocked shots 14-5.
“We’ll play [tomorrow] over at the other building, which also should be super,” Durocher said. “I’m guessing they make the ice the same way, so it should be another quick, fast sheet. Everything surrounding this trip has been great. A lot of people have never seen Las Vegas.”
The Terriers will close out their Thanksgiving Nevada trip with a consolation game against the No. 12 Penn State University Saturday night. The game will take place at The Dollar Loan Center, with puck drop scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.