Women’s Hockey: Terriers give Harvard first win in 3-1 loss

Featured image: Claire Guest

By Molly Kimball 

In a mid-week matchup, Boston University women’s hockey (5-4-1, 4-3-0 HE) traveled across the Charles to play the Harvard Crimson (1-8-1, 0-8-1 ECAC), falling 3-1 at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center. 

Two early goals from the Crimson proved to be enough, as BU fell to the formerly-winless Crimson. “Not the start we wanted,” said coach Tara Watchorn. “I think that’s something we need to address as a group.” 

The Terriers dominated puck possession in the opening minutes of play, but Harvard was quick to capitalize on their first two chances. 

Just under five minutes into the first frame, freshman forward Zoe Boosamra hit fellow freshman forward Kaley MacDonald with a centering pass. MacDonald ripped a shot top left to make it 1-0 Harvard early in the first.

Two minutes later, sophomore forward Gwynn Lapp cycled the puck to junior forward Hannah Chorske. Chorske found Kayley Crawford in the slot, and the junior forward beat freshman goaltender Mari Pietersen’s low glove side to give Harvard the two-goal advantage.

Neither team was able to capitalize on their power play chances. BU had a few quality looks after a roughing call on Harvard forward Ellie Bayard.  Not long after killing the penalty, the Crimson went on the man advantage after BU freshman Mikayla Bloomquist made a physical play on an opposing forward. Boston’s special teams continued to look strong and were able to kill the penalty. 

Boston University graduate goaltender Alexa Matses took over the net in place of Pietersen in the second period for the Terriers. The Crimson came out hot in the second, but Matses stepped up to keep them at two goals until late in the second period. 

Harvard was able to capitalize on an odd-man rush, with forwards Gabi Davidson Adams and Gwynn Lapp on the 2-on-1. Lapp slid the puck to Davidson Adams, who found the back of the net for a 3-0 lead. 

The Terriers were quick to answer, with senior captain Madison Cardaci scoring her first of the season. Senior defenseman Andi Calderone let a shot go from the point, and senior forward Lacey Martin was able to get a stick on it, creating enough chaos in front of the net for Cardaci to tap in the rebound. 

The Terriers came out strong for the first half of the final period, getting back to their style of fast-paced play. At about the halfway mark, sophomore defenseman Brooke Disher took a slashing penalty, putting the Terriers down a man. Yet again, the BU penalty kill held the Harvard power play, keeping the score at 3-1 Harvard.

“[The Crimson] took away the middle of the ice and made it tough to create that quality scoring chance,” Watchorn added, “but our shot selection can be even better and make their life more difficult.” .

BU pulled Matses to go up a man with about four minutes left in the third period to try to close the gap. Despite dominating possession in the 6-on-5 play, the Terriers could not cash in. The Crimson took their first win of the season, giving head coach Laura Bellamy her first career win as leader of the program. 

Up next for the Terriers is the Battle of Comm. Ave., as they face off against the Boston College Eagles in Chestnut Hill this Friday at 11 am. The rivalry matchup will be available to stream on ESPN+.