Women’s Hockey: Gritty match ends in OT victory for Terriers as they advance to Hockey East Semifinal
Featured image by Holly Gustavsen
By Claire Smieszny
Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (22-11-2, 18-7-2 HE) defeated the University of Vermont Catamounts (9-25-2, 7-18-2 HE) 4-3 in overtime in the Hockey East quarterfinals Saturday afternoon.
“I truly feel like we’re starting to understand that we want it for each other,” Head Coach Tara Watchorn said after the game. “Every next game and opportunity that we earn is a chance to do that for each other, and that’s the beauty in it. Being able to play with that, you know, stress, because we want for each other, [we’re] excited for that next opportunity.”
The Terriers came out hot and immediately put the pressure on Vermont in their zone with an aggressive forecheck and hard work in the corners to keep possession. Their efforts showed through both in a climbing shot count and several close chances on net.
Despite BU’s early dominance, the Catamounts struck first at 6:12 with a quick play off the draw to shock goaltender Callie Shanahan. Rose-Marie Brochu won the faceoff, and the puck trickled back to Oona Havana, who fired it up and over Shanahan’s glove for the 1-0 lead.
The goal spurred UVM ahead as they started to generate more offense, but the Terriers got back in the game determined to get even and start fresh. They’d get the equalizer they were looking for from junior defender Maeve Kelly off a snipe from the top of the right circle at 8:28.
The Catamounts didn’t let their lead go easily, as less than a minute later they struck again. Julia Mesplède had the puck behind the net and flicked it back to a flying Brochu, who tucked it past Shanahan to regain the lead.
BU spent the rest of the period determined to get back on the board. They were rewarded for their efforts, as with 30 seconds left, Riley Walsh fired off a shot from the high slot after gaining possession on the forecheck. It was then redirected in front by Lilli Welcke to go through the wickets of UVM netminder Sydney Correa for a goal.
“It all comes down to attitude,” Walsh said. “Regardless of if the other team scores a goal, it’s just how you come back from that and how you put your energy towards positive and knowing that we’re the better team, we have to bear down.”
The Terriers’ dominance on the puck continued through the second period as their shots on goal climbed to 20, dwarfing the Catamount’s six. Correa continued to look like a veteran in net, unphased by BU’s relentless siege with the puck.
Vermont got their first glimpse of sustained offense in the period just over halfway through, when BU’s Walsh headed to the box for holding. Despite their efforts, the Terrier penalty kill held it down with some assistance from Shanahan in net to keep the score deadlocked at 2-2.
Despite killing off the penalty, the Terriers didn’t seem to gain any momentum as the Catamounts continued to occupy BU’s zone. Vermont carried this control into the third, and it paid off as just under five minutes into the final frame they got on the board to make it 3-2.
On their second power play of the game, UVM’s Maddy Skelton was left wide open in front of the net with the puck as Lara Beecher drew two Terriers and Shanahan across the crease with her before snapping it back to Skelton.
The goal seemed to wake the Terriers up as they got back on their game and were aggressive on the puck. More and more time spent in the offensive zone gave them several chances on net, with one finally going in from junior forward Sydney Healey to tie it up again.
A shot from Kelly at the blue line found Healey’s stick mid-air to be tipped into the net halfway through the period, and both teams were on even footing yet again with ten minutes left to play.
As the clock wound down, the score remained stalemated at three apiece, with both teams vying for the game-winning goal and pulling out all the stops to do so. The Terriers got a golden opportunity to take the lead when Vermont’s Havana headed to the box for tripping.
Despite their best efforts, neither team was able to find the back of the net, and the game moved into overtime. Fortunately, it wouldn’t take long for BU to strike and get the win to advance.
Following a faceoff to Correa’s right, a scramble for the puck landed on Walsh’s stick in the slot to flick it up and over Correa’s glove just four minutes into the overtime period to put the game away.
The staggering home crowd at Walter Brown Arena erupted in cheers, making for the loudest environment the arena has seen in a while.
“We got that good crowd at Agganis against BC early in the season,” Watchorn said of the increasing crowd size at games. “We talked about that and I said, ‘it doesn’t end here.’ I was like, enjoy it, you earn it, you deserve it, and interact with it. Fight, play for it, you know. And I think that’s what makes it sustainable and fun.”
The Terriers now shift their focus to Wednesday night when they face Boston College in the Hockey East Semifinals at Walter Brown Arena. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m., and streaming will be available on ESPN+.