Women’s Hockey: Terriers fall short in crucial Hockey East matchup, falling 3-1 to UConn

Featured image by Spirit Veron

By Alexa Podalsky

Coach Tara Watchorn watched the game’s final seconds from the BU bench two goals down on a 5-on-3 penalty kill. Even though the Terriers were about to lose an essential conference matchup, she felt proud of how fiercely her team competed. 

“[We’re] excited to play them again,” Watchorn said. “That’s a team that we can beat, and I know the locker room feels more [confident] knowing that.”

Boston University Women’s Hockey (19-9-1, 16-5-1 HE) is left fighting to keep its top spot in the Hockey East standings after falling 3-1 against the University of Connecticut (18-9-2, 16-4-2 HE). The Huskies are currently ranked second and could join BU in the top spot if both teams win on Saturday. 

Both teams couldn’t bypass each other’s defenses at the start of the first period, but the energy at Walter Brown Arena was as electrifying as ever. The crowd screamed as Julia Shaunessy and Riley Walsh barely missed the goalpost that was swarmed with the Husky defense. 

But, the tides shifted when Tamara Giaquinto was called for tripping coming off an unsuccessful power play. UConn pulled goalkeeper Tia Chan, and all six skaters raced across the blue line to try and score. 

Right as BU’s penalty kill ran out, UConn’s Brianna Ware narrowly put the puck past netminder Callie Shanahan for the 1-0 lead. The Terriers worked hard to even the score, but another penalty against Lindsay Bochna limited the offense’s chances, sending BU to the locker room trailing by one. 

The Terriers’ nine penalties were the most they received this season. Despite a mix of missed calls and controversial decisions, Watchorn chose to “plead the fifth” when asked about the officiating.

Claire Murdoch deepened the Huskies’ lead three minutes into the second as BU struggled to find offensive chances. Despite multiple breakaway attempts, Chan was a nearly impenetrable force with 33 saves on the night. 

With less than four minutes left in the second period, the Terriers got an opportunity in the form of a Neely Nicholson goal, capitalizing on the rebound after Liv Haag’s shot was deflected. 

BU carried the momentum into the final frame, applying heavy pressure on UConn. 

However, Jada Habisch sealed the Terriers’ fate with a short-handed goal with under 10 minutes to spare. 

“[The team is] pissed because they wanted to win, but they’re not pissed at themselves,” Watchorn said. “I know that they’re proud of that effort, the way they stuck together, the way that they communicated, and I know they feel confidence from that.”

The Terriers have a fast turnaround as they prepare to host Providence College on Saturday at 4 p.m. The game will be available to stream on ESPN+.