Women’s Hockey: No. 14 Terriers score three unanswered, defeat No. 11 Boston College
Featured image by Joe Eachus
By Mel Mastela
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Two Eagles fell on Saturday at Conte Forum.
First, Baldwin the Eagle, Boston College’s mascot, took a tumble pregame.
Then, the other Eagles took to the ice, and fell to the Terriers.
No. 14 Boston University women’s ice hockey (10-4-1, 8-2-1 HE) scored three unanswered to defeat Comm. Ave. rival and 11th-ranked Boston College (9-4-0, 6-2-0 HE) to split the weekend series with a 3-1 victory.
The Terriers held the Eagles to just nine shots on goal throughout the contest, nearly 20 below their season average.
“That one feels good,” coach Tara Watchorn said. “So proud of the girls, [it’s] a huge testament to them. From the moment we got up today they took control over the environment we needed and they were ready to go and it makes our life easy, and it’s so fun watching them play.”
Less than 24 hours after yesterday’s matchup, both teams were searching for the early lead and surge of momentum.
Finding the opportunity to break past the Terriers’ defense, BC’s junior forward Kara Goulding found an open spot in net past netminder Callie Shanahan for an early 1-0 lead.
Despite the early push from the Eagles, BU continued to remain strong offensively, generating chances, but could not beat BC goaltender Grace Campbell.
After giving up the opening goal, the Terriers were keyed in during the middle frame, shutting down the Eagles offensively and defensively.
BU found their footing fast.
Following countless missed shots and blocks by Campbell, senior forward Ani FitzGerald finally found an opening for BU to tie up the score early in the second period.
Just over a minute later, Lindsay Bochna lifted the puck top-shelf off a rebound initially saved by Campbell for the 2-1 lead.
“I wouldn’t say I like to be net-front, but I end up there,” Bochna said. “It’s definitely where I’m good at because I am a strong individual, it’s my area of expertise, I’d say.”
These two goals generated some heat and frustration for BC, but the Terriers held on and continued to push back offensively.
The Eagles did not register their first shot on goal in the second until over 15 minutes into the period, only notching two in the frame.
After failed power play chances for both sides, the two teams began the final frame at even strength.
Putting the final nail in the coffin was Sydney Healey, who backhanded the puck past Campbell off a feed from Julia Shaunessy for a 3-1 lead late in the third.
“This is why we play hockey and play fast paced games against good teams,” Watchorn said. “We get to make good puck touches, all of it was fun and it was cool to see. It just shows we can play against anyone in this country, but we’re focusing on continuing to upgrade BU hockey.”
BU hockey will resume after a bye-week when the Terriers will take on Princeton University on Nov. 27 at 2 p.m. at Agganis Arena. The game will be available to stream on ESPN and TSN+.