Women’s Hockey: Terriers set to host Maine Black Bears in weekend series
Featured image by Joe Eachus
By Alexa Podalsky
Boston University women’s hockey entered their second stint of Hockey East play last weekend.
After splitting last weekend with Northeastern, the Terriers will host the University of Maine Black Bears, hoping to pull ahead in a three-way tie for first place in the conference standings.
“The focus this week is discipline, and how do we take the good in how we’ve been playing and do it weekend after weekend no matter who it is,” Coach Tara Watchorn said about the upcoming weekend series.
For the first time since 2020, the team entered the NCAA Division 1 ranking at No. 15, tied with Mercyhurst and Yale University.
BU (2-3-0, 2-1-0 HEA) broke their three-game losing streak after shutting out their Beanpot rival 4-0. Maine (1-3-0, 1-1-0 HEA), ranked fourth in the HEA, has only netted a single win after playing No. 10 Quinnipiac.
The last time the Black Bears and Terriers met, Maine handed the Terriers a 3-1 loss at home.
However, new players and strategies could strengthen BU’s chances of securing a win.
Assistant captain Callie Shanahan was named the Hockey East Goaltender of the Week despite only winning one of the three games she spent in net. She sits at No. 7 in the NCAA rankings for a save percentage of .952%, with 80 saves on 84 shots.
Freshmen forwards are helping lead the Terrier offense this season. Lola Reid recorded two goals, both of which were game-winners, and two assists. Riley Walsh also netted two goals and assisted one other.
Captain Tamara Giaquinto and senior forward Clara Yuhn are the only other players who have scored twice.
The Black Bears’ goalie, sophomore Julia Bachetti, has a .886% save percentage with an average of 3.92 per game. She stood in net during the team’s 7-0 and 4-0 losses against No. 10 Quinnipiac but has recorded 124 saves over the past four matches.
Maine’s freshmen duo have also played a large role on the offense this season. Stephanie Jacob and Alyssa Wruble earned their first career goals during the team’s 3-2 loss against the Providence College Friars. The next day, Wruble scored on Jacob’s assist.
The Terriers will host the Black Bears in the weekend series on Friday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m. for game one while raising money for the Ellie Fund during their annual Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer event.
Game two’s puck drop is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. and will celebrate Family and Friends Weekend. Both games will be available to stream on ESPN+.