Women’s Hockey: Holy Cross defeats BU 4-2 in the opening round of the Hockey East playoffs 

By Justin Davids

Senior captain Madison Cardaci took one last lap around Walter Brown Arena as her career as a Terrier came to a sour conclusion.

The four-year leader for BU, who entered the transfer portal late last week for a graduate season elsewhere, was emotional as she reflected on her final game on Comm. Ave.

“It meant everything [to play here]. I met so many great people along the way who taught me so many things… I’ll always be a Terrier,” she said. “This will be my home forever.”

BU women’s hockey (14-18-3, 12-15-1 HE) fell to the Holy Cross Crusaders (8-23-3, 5-20-3 HE) 4-2 at Walter Brown Arena in the first round of the Hockey East playoffs, ending their season prematurely.

BU outshot Holy Cross 39-16, and went 32-45 on faceoffs, but could not get the bounces to go their way for most of the night.

“This group deserved a lot better,” said coach Tara Watchorn. “Stuck to our gameplan, [we] played really well, and just didn’t go our way.”

Within the first 30 seconds of the contest, Holy Cross sophomore forward Lane Lewis deflected a shot past BU junior goaltender Callie Shanahan to give the Crusaders an early lead. 

The Terriers didn’t sit back after the opening tally. Junior forward Christina Vote drew an interference penalty to give BU their first power-play opportunity of the night.  

In the dying seconds of the man-advantage, sophomore forward Lilli Welcke dished a cross-ice pass to senior defenseman Tamara Giaquinto to even up the score. 

With about six minutes remaining in the opening frame, senior forward Lacey Martin took a tripping penalty to give the Crusaders their first power-play of the evening. However, the Terriers’ third-ranked penalty kill came up big once again, keeping the score tied up at one. 

A few minutes after the conclusion of the Crusaders power-play, BU senior defenseman Julia Shaunessy ripped the pick past Holy Cross senior netminder Madison Beck to put the Terriers ahead 2-1.

In the final moments of the first period, Crusaders senior defenseman Carmen Elliot fired a shot towards BU’s Shanahan, setting up Holy Cross sophomore forward Alexia Moreau to deflect the puck into the net, leveling the game.

Five minutes into the second period, senior forward Millie Sirum took a body-checking penalty to put the​ Terriers back on the power-play. 

“It was desperation physicality. We built some momentum, you’re tired, and those hits happen,” Watchorn said.

Soon after BU’s power-play attempt, Holy Cross’ Moreau stunned Shanahan top-shelf to give the Crusaders a 3-2 lead in the second. 

The Terriers went on the power play again as Crusaders forward Madison Michals body-checked BU sophomore forward Sydney Healey into the boards, resulting in an injury that required Healey to be helped off the ice. 

Despite the opportunity, BU couldn’t capitalize on their third man-advantage. Near the end of the second period, Holy Cross’ Sirum took another penalty, this time on BU graduate defenseman Nadia Mattivi, putting the Terriers back on the power play.

Holy Cross was able to kill off another Terrier power-play, holding on to their one goal lead early in the final frame. 

The third period remained quiet until Crusaders’ Sirum skated into the offensive zone and rifled a shot past Shanahan top-shelf, securing an insurance goal for Holy Cross. 

Despite late efforts, BU couldn’t equalize, resulting in a 4-2 loss to the Crusaders, and the Terriers’ season ended in disappointment.

“[This group meant] everything,” said Watchorn. “They’re a really special group, and they should be proud of the foundation they’ve built going forward.”