Women’s Hockey: BU Fell 5-2 in The Battle of Commonwealth
Featured Image by Jenny Chen
By Abigail Stocker
The Battle of Commonwealth has begun.
The Boston University Women’s Ice Hockey team (2-9-0, 2-4-0 HE) vs Boston College (6-6-1, 5-2-1 HE) fell to rival Boston College Eagles 5-2 at Conte Forum.
“When we play our game plan, we can dominate and take control of the game,” BU Head Coach Tara Watchorn said. “I think we need to prove to ourselves and stay committed to our environment even when things and bounces don’t go our way.”
The Terriers entered the matchup coming off a split weekend series against Maine, while the Eagles also split a home-and-home with UConn.
Before this game, BU had a three-game winning streak against its B-Line rival.
The Terriers started the game with a controlled pace, applying consistent pressure on the Eagles. Ten minutes into the first period, junior forward Keilgh Quigg crashed the net and shoveled home a rebound, giving BU a 1-0 lead after sustained pressure.
Boston College played smart, regrouping behind the net to avoid mistakes. BU continued creating scoring chances with an aggressive forecheck and strong offensive zone presence.
Despite the pressure, the Eagles stayed patient. With two minutes left in the period, sophomore forward Alanna Devlin scored her first goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1.
BC did not let the tie slow their intensity. Less than two minutes later, freshman forward Ava Thomas slid a shot through the five-hole, sending the Terriers to the locker room trailing 2-1.
BU outshot BC 18-5 in the first period, but mistakes in the defensive zone undermined their offensive pressure.
The Terriers opened the second period with control but couldn’t break through.
Several early scoring chances from senior forward Clara Yuhn and senior forward Lilli Welcke were stopped by BC goaltender Grace Campbell, who was busy throughout the frame.
BU was granted a five-minute power play after Boston College was called for a major penalty.
BU finally broke through at 15:42 when junior forward Lola Reid scored on the power play, finishing a setup from Riley Walsh and Greta Henderson to even the game at 2-2.
The Terriers closed the period on the attack, but BC’s defensive blocks and Campbell’s steady play held firm. After a flurry of BU attempts in the final minute, the teams headed to the locker room tied.
The Eagles came out fiery in the third period.
Just one minute in, senior forward Emma Conner snuck an even-strength goal past graduate goaltender Michelle Pasiechnyk, giving BC a 3-2 lead.
The Eagles found their groove. Two minutes later, BC’s sophomore forward Sage Babey pocketed a loose puck off a shot by freshman foward Maxim Tremblay, doubling the Eagles’ lead.
Tremblay added her own goal on a breakout run, extending the lead to 5-2.
Late in the period, BU’s Luisa Welcke was called for cross-checking, giving BC a power-play opportunity.
With 11 minutes remaining, a washout goal resulted from physical play around Pasiechnyk.
Despite the Terriers’ efforts to mount a comeback, they couldn’t find another goal.
BU outshot BC 45-23, but the Eagles’ strategic play proved more effective than the Terriers’ aggression.
“When you win big games, no one at the end of the day is going to ask the shot count,” said Watchorn. “Hockey isn’t always a perfect equation. There’s momentum swings, there’s bounces.”
BU will look to rebound in the final game of the home-and-home series against Boston College on Nov. 14. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Agganis Arena, with streaming available on ESPN+.