Women’s Ice Hockey: Terriers Return Home to Face Brown

By Marianne Zemmes

No. 13 Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (0-4-0, 0-0-0 HE) returns to Walter Brown Arena on Friday evening to face Brown University Bears (0-0-0, 0-0-0 ECAC) in a crucial non-conference matchup.

The Terriers return home looking to bounce back from a challenging four-game stretch that included two losses to No. 3 Minnesota at Walter Brown Arena and a pair of road setbacks against No. 8 Colgate.
mounted a three-goal third-period comeback.

“The Colgate series really made us realize that our players aren’t fully understanding all those pieces yet,” said Head Coach Tara Watchorn. “On the ice, you can see it — the way we’re responding to goals, our body language, the highs and lows. We’re just overreacting to moments instead of staying level, and that’s part of our growth right now.”

Despite early-season hardship against top-10 opponents, BU has shown promising signs, particularly in Saturday’s 4-3 loss at Colgate, where the team mounted a third-period comeback.

With six different goal scorers and seven players recording assists through four games, BU has demonstrated offensive depth despite facing elite opposition.

Freshman forward Lexie Bertelsen has made an immediate impact in her collegiate debut, recording two points in the Colgate series. The Belmont, Ontario native scored her first collegiate goal in Friday’s 3-1 loss before adding an assist in Saturday’s comeback attempt. Bertelsen has quickly established chemistry with her linemates and figures to be a key offensive contributor as the season progresses.

The Arthur, Ontario native, Senior forward Sydney Healey, named an assistant captain for the 2025-26 season, leads the Terriers with three points (1G, 2A) through four games. Healey scored BU’s first goal of the season against Minnesota and has been a consistent offensive presence while providing veteran leadership during the team’s challenging start.

Senior forward Riley Walsh earned two assists in the Colgate series and ranks second on the team with two helpers. The Duxbury native, who transferred from Union, scored the overtime winner that propelled BU to the Hockey East semifinals last season and continues to deliver in crucial moments.

The Terriers’ defense has also seen some great moments.

Senior defender Maeve Carey, named captain for the 2025-26 season, leads a veteran blue line that also features assistant captains Clara Yuhn and Maeve Kelly. Carey’s leadership and defensive presence have been vital as the Terriers navigate early-season challenges.

The 2023-24 NCAA Goaltender of the Year, graduate student goaltender Michelle Pasiechnyk, provides additional depth in net after transferring from Clarkson. The Ottawa native recorded 750 saves and a 25-5-1 record during her award-winning campaign.

The Bears arrive in Boston for their season opener under Brown Head Coach Melanie Ruzzi. The Bears boast 18 returners and add eight freshmen, led by forward Monique Lyons, who recorded 24 points in 2024-25. Senior goaltender Rory Edwards returns as Brown’s top netminder with an impressive .921 save percentage and 2.23 goals-against average.

BU holds a commanding 3-1-2 record against the Bears in a series dating back to 2006, including a 1-1-1 mark at Walter Brown Arena. The Terriers have won three consecutive meetings, most recently a 5-2 victory at Meehan Auditorium on Nov. 27, 2018.

The teams last met at Walter Brown Arena on Nov. 28, 2017, when BU claimed a 6-4 victory. However, the Terriers will remember their most recent home loss to Brown — a 3-1 defeat on Dec. 5, 2006.

“Of course we want wins — but we want them the right way,” Watchorn said. “Wins can mask things and reinforce habits you don’t want. Getting that first win would help build trust and confidence, but it’s about doing it the right way.”

Friday’s match up offers BU a crucial opportunity to secure its first win of the season before beginning Hockey East play.

Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Walter Brown Arena, with the game available to stream live on ESPN+.