Women’s Hockey: BU Home Opener spoiled by No. 5/7 Northeastern
By Justin Davids
Hoping to start the year off on a high note, Boston University Women’s Hockey (0-1-0, 0-1-0 HE) begin their 2023-2024 campaign with a 4-1 loss to the No.5/7 Northeastern University Huskies (4-1-0, 1-0-0 HE) at Walter Brown Arena.
After an even contest through the first ten minutes of play, freshman forward Allie Lalonde was able to kick off the scoring, putting the puck past freshman goaltender Mari Pietersen in what seemed to be a misplayed routine save.
A few minutes later, the Terriers were able to respond on a power play opportunity when senior forward Catherine Foulem scored short-side on Northeastern graduate goalie Gwyneth Phillips.
The Terriers finished the first frame off carrying the pace of play, only allowing six shots on goal while producing nine of their own. BU couldn’t have asked for a better start, given the fact they were playing a highly-ranked Huskies squad.
The Huskies started off the second period showing more signs of promise, putting on heavy pressure in the Terriers’ defensive zone.
However, standing their ground, the Terriers prevented the Huskies from taking the lead early in the second stanza. After Northeastern took a hooking penalty at the halfway point of the period, BU started to regain momentum.
Unable to cash in on the earlier man-advantage, the Huskies were finally able to break the tie late in the second after junior forward Taze Thompson scored on the Huskies’ second power play opportunity. The period would go on to finish 2-1 in favor of the Northeastern with BU leading shot totals 19-13.
Northeastern would begin the third period off dominating, drawing a penalty and sustaining quality puck possession. The Terriers would get a huge chance to tie the game after the Terriers penalty expired and sophomore forward Clara Yuhn missed on a breakaway chance.
Following the Huskies power play, junior forward Christina Vote would give Northeastern their fourth power play of the game after being called for interference. Even though the Terriers’ clumsy play put them at a disadvantage, they continued to battle hard, keeping the deficit at just one goal.
With 58.2 seconds remaining, the Terriers called a timeout, hoping to get a couple more chances to even the score.
Shortly after the Terriers timeout, Pietersen was called to the bench and an extra skater was put out for BU. Unfortunately, the Terriers effort to tie the game up led to a defensive breakdown where Northeastern graduate forward Peyton Anderson sealed the win with an empty net goal, spoiling Watchorn’s debut.
The Huskies were able to tack on one more goal before the final buzzer with sophomore forward Lily Shannon trickling the puck past Pietersen.
Even though Northeastern would win the game by a final score of 4-1, the Terriers played with effort and determination. Fans have a lot to look forward to this upcoming season.
Boston University Women’s Hockey is back in action this Saturday, October 7th at 1pm for another cross-town rivalry matchup against No. 5/7 Northeastern, this time at Matthews Arena. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+