Women’s Hockey: Terriers look to continue hot streak against Merrimack in home-and-home series

Featured image by Joe Eachus

By Hannah Connors

Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (8-3-0, 6-1-0 HEA) are set to take on Merrimack College (4-4-0, 2-3-0 HEA) in a weekend series starting in North Andover this Thursday.

After a two-game sweep against Providence College last weekend, the Terriers look forward to continuing their seven-game win streak.

“The win [against providence] felt like a good benchmark for us,” coach Tara Watchorn said in a media call on Wednesday.

Currently ranked 1st in the Hockey East Conference and 15th in USCHO rankings, BU has proven to be a powerhouse this season.

Historically, BU has done well against Merrimack, boasting a 19-4-5 record, but the Warriors will be looking for revenge after a 7-1 loss against the Terriers earlier in the season.

Goaltender Callie Shanahan will undoubtedly continue to be a brick wall in net. In Saturday’s match against the Friars, Shanahan recorded 21 saves and currently holds an impressive save percentage of .957.

Defensively, the Terriers will have to look out for players like freshman forward Chloe Goofers, who scored two goals against Boston College last weekend.

Merrimack will likely start goaltender Margaux Favre, who holds a .893 save percentage.

Favre will have to watch out for offensive starters like forwards Lilli Welcke and Louisa Welcke.

“You’re our first line for a reason,” Watchorn said to the Welcke twins this past weekend. “You play the most complete game when you are just focusing on things you can control.”

Lilli Welcke scored two goals for BU in a game this weekend, one of which clinched the victory for the Terriers.

“What this group is continually realizing is just how good that we can be,” Watchorn said. “And there’s still a lot to do.”

The weekend series will start on Thursday, November 6th, in North Andover, with a puck drop at 6:00 p.m. The second game will take place at Agganis Arena on Saturday, November 8th, with a puck drop at 3:00 p.m.Streaming for both games will be available on ESPN+.