Women’s Hockey: Terriers set for Beanpot semifinals against Harvard

Featured image by Joe Eachus

By Ryan Owens

No. 13 Boston University Women’s Hockey (13-6-1, 11-3-1 HE) will begin play in the 46th Dunkin’ Beanpot tournament on Tuesday, facing the Harvard Crimson (2-12-2, 1-10-1 ECAC) in the semifinal round. 

This matchup has been a tight one in the Beanpot as of late, with each team holding a 3-3-1 record against the other in the tournament since 2015, including a double overtime thriller to seal BU’s Beanpot victory in 2019.

BU has been looking to win its first Beanpot Championship title since that tournament, particularly after a loss to the Northeastern Huskies in overtime during the final last season. Since the inception of the women’s Beanpot in 1979, that 2019 victory is the only one for the varsity program, with their only other victory coming as a club team in 1981.

The Terriers seem poised as ever to win, holding a winning record for the first time in five seasons and finding themselves as one of the more positively surprising teams this season.

BU will also be looking to rebound from a frustrating 3-2 loss at the Vermont Catamounts, one that resulted in a split weekend series that was widely expected to be a sweep.

Looking to make an impact could be freshman Lola Reid, who has contributed seven goals and 13 points to bring the Terriers to glory in her first-ever tournament appearance.

Helping her should be forward Christina Vote and defender Julia Shaunessy, who each have already racked up double-digit assists and have key roles as playmakers and veterans for the team.

Starting in net for BU will likely be senior Callie Shanahan, who has played a hot hand so far to a .925 save percentage and a 1.71 goals-against average. Should the team choose to keep Shanahan rested for their second game, however, backup Mari Pietersen has also proven herself reliable, allowing only 12 goals in five games played.

Whoever starts in goal for the Terriers should be looking out for Harvard sophomore Kaley MacDonald, who leads her team with nine points thus far this season. Ella Lucia, Antonina Dinges, and Gwyn Lapp are each tied for the team lead in goals with three apiece.

The Crimson have rotated goaltenders, using first-year Tuffy Ainsley alongside junior Emily Davidson. Both netminders have held down the crease and are expected to provide BU with a challenge in the offensive end.

The winner of this semifinal matchup will play one of the Terriers’ fiercest rivals, either the No. 12 Boston College Eagles (14-6-1, 11-4-1 HE) or No. 15 Northeastern (13-6-1, 10-4-1 HE). BU has split with both teams this season, setting up for what should be a highly competitive tournament. 

The Terriers will play Harvard at Northeastern’s Matthews Arena on Tuesday at 4:30. The game will be available on NESN+ and ESPN+.