Women’s Hockey: Terriers Seek First Win as Conference Play Opens Against UNH

By Mel Mastela

Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (0-5-0, 0-0-0 HE) is returning to Walter Brown Arena for the start of conference play against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats (3-3-1, 0-0-0 HE).

The Terriers have yet to win a game this season. Both teams will look to earn their first conference win this Friday. The teams last met in a weekend series at Walter Brown Arena. The Terriers won the first game 2-1 but lost the following night in a shootout.

“We definitely wanna win, no doubt,” BU Head Coach Tara Watchorn said. “I feel like we’re on the cusp…last weekend, all things considered, it felt a little more mature, a little bit more… professional, and I’m just excited to keep seeing if we can make that feeling better every day…and not riding the highs and lows of shift to shift trying to get one win.”

BU holds an overall 39-21-7 record against UNH. This season, the Terriers are 0-3-0 at home while the Wildcats are 3-0-1 on the road, giving New Hampshire the advantage.

Coming off a 2-1 loss to Brown, BU looks to strengthen it lines and take advantage of the puck to earn its first win at home. Senior forward Luisa Welcke scored BU’s only goal in the game against Brown, assisted by senior forward Sydney Healey. Healey leads the team with four points and remains one to watch.

The Wildcats are also coming off a loss against Harvard, where senior forward Alyson Hush scored their only goal. Hush and freshman forward Nina Rossi are currently leading their team, with 6 total points. Rossi plays aggressively with the puck and is another player to watch.

BU’s biggest challenge will be getting past either UNH’s junior goaltender, Noemi Martinez, or Sedona Blair. With a combined total save percentage of .939 and a total of 12 goals against allowed, both have a fair shot at being in the net on Friday night.

“Create quality scoring chances, that’s for sure,” Watchorn said when asked about approaching the Wildcats’ strong goaltender duo. “Getting more time in the ozone…we finally started changing better. I just think we hadn’t had enough attention to detail.”

Terriers junior goaltender Mari Pietersen holds a .907 save percentage with nine goals against allowed. BU graduate goalie Michelle Pasiechnyk holds a .896 save percentage with eight goals against allowed. Both are strong contenders and will need to stand tall against UNH.

“Still early,” Watchorn said when asked about which goalie would start in Friday’s game. “Based on how both of them have played…it’s gonna get to the point where I’m gonna be happy making decisions on who’s helping us get wins.”

Puck drop is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Walter Brown Arena, with streaming available on ESPN+.