Women’s Hockey: Terriers Face UConn in Last Game Before Beanpot

By Michael Wax

Boston University Women’s Hockey (10-15-2, 9-12-2 HE) will look to continue their unbeaten streak as they take on the #15 University of Connecticut Huskies (16-10-3, 10-9-3 HE) Friday night at Walter Brown Arena.

The Terriers took down two different opponents at Walter Brown Arena last week, defeating the Merrimack Warriors 4-1 on Jan. 27 and the No. 11 Vermont Catamounts 2-1 in OT on Jan. 28. UConn, conversely, fell 5-4 against Maine on Jan. 27 and 3-0 against UNH on Jan. 29.

A Terriers’ win would give them a season sweep over the Huskies. The two teams previously met over the Nov. 18 weekend, with BU winning 2-1 at the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum on Nov. 18 and taking home a 5-2 at Walter Brown Arena on Nov. 19.

Senior forward Julia Nearis continues to lead the Terriers in both goals (10) and points (19). Nearis’ 10th goal of the season was the overtime winner against #11 Vermont on Jan. 28, bringing her to points in four of her last five games.

Senior forward Coryn Tormala leads the Huskies in assists (10) and points (17). Junior forward Jada Habisch leads UConn with 11 goals, one of which came in the Nov. 18 matchup against BU.

Graduate Andrea Brändli has started six of the Terriers’ last seven games, and her .938 save percentage ranks fourth in the nation.

UConn has two viable options for their goaltending in Friday’s matchup. Sophomore Tia Chan has started 20 games for the Huskies, putting up a .937 save percentage and a 1.63 goals against average. Sophomore Megan Warrener has a .916 save % and 1.90 goals against average in nine starts, including the most recent game against UNH.

Freshman defender Brooke Disher, who scored the game-winning goal in the Terriers’ 2-1 win over UConn on Nov. 18, was honored this past week with her first Hockey East Defender of the Week award. Disher had three assists over the two games last weekend and brings a four-game point streak into Friday’s matchup. This is Disher’s first HE Defender of the Week award, and her second award overall after being named the HE Rookie of the Week in November.

The Terriers and Huskies will square off at Walter Brown Arena, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. WBA will be hosting a Red Out for the game.