Women’s Hockey: Terriers Rally to Win 2-1 Against Maine in Weekend Split
Featured Image by Jenny Chen
By Mel Mastela
Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey (2-8-0, 2-3-0 HE) salvaged the split against the University of Maine Women’s Ice Hockey (3-7-1, 1-2-1 HE) with a 2-1 win.
“Hard to get wins on the road, especially on the road at Maine,” Head Coach Tara Watchorn said, “definitely was a good weekend, a growth weekend for us as a group, and I was proud of the way that the team was able to rebound today.”
The opening frame saw a cautious start from both teams as they focused on keeping the puck out of their own zones.
Maine focused on creating quality scoring chances while BU struggled to establish a forecheck, resorting to dumping the puck into the offensive zone.
Seconds after BU forward Luisa Welcke received an interference penalty, Black Bear forward Lily Fetch tipped the puck past BU graduate goaltender Michelle Pasiechnyk to give Maine a 1-0 lead.
Late in the period, the Terriers increased pressure but could not break through Maine’s stout defense.
With no clean scoring opportunities, BU headed to the locker room trailing 1-0, looking to sharpen plays and generate more offensive zone time in the second period.
Back on the ice, Maine came out strong, keeping BU on their heels.
The mid frame saw constant back-and-forth play across the ice as both teams searched for an open lane to generate scoring opportunities.
Despite four-on-four action and power-play chances for both sides, neither side was able to break through.
Pasiechnyk stood tall in goal, keeping the game close as Maine maintained momentum much of the period.
Just when it seemed the teams would head to the final period with Maine leading, Terrier forward Clara Yuhn slipped a goal past Maine netminder Kiia Lahtinen in the final seconds of the frame, tying the game 1-1, leaving both teams in a frenzy as the frame ended.
The energy carried into the third as Maine controlled puck possession and generated numerous scoring chances.
“I think it was collective,” Watchorn said when asked about their defensive performance, “…they were solving problems, talking through the d-zone, and comfortable in battles and able to play smart at the end of our shifts, all led to a good defense.”
Maine kept BU trapped in their own zone but couldn’t capitalize on chances.
Miscommunication between Lahtinen and Maine’s defense created an opening, allowing Terrier forward Sydney Healy to slide the puck past Lahtinen for BU’s first 2-1 lead of the series.
BU kept the momentum, showing aggression on both ends of the ice, creating chances to extend their lead while thwarting Maine’s attacks.
In the final minutes, Maine’s puck possession deep in their zone could not pierce BU’s defense or Pasiechnyk, securing the 2-1 win.
“I think they stayed united as a group, and they dove in and were curious about how we can be better…If we are constantly all of us doing that after every game win or loss, we’re gonna be in a better spot,” Watchorn said.
The Terriers are set to take on rival Boston College next week for a two-day series on Thursday, Nov. 13, and Friday, Nov. 14.