Women’s Hockey: Terriers Look To Carry Belpot Momentum Into UNH Matchup
Featured Image by Kate Kotlyar
By Mel Mastela
After securing the Belpot trophy in Belfast, Boston University women’s ice hockey (5-11-3, 4-6-2 HE) returns to conference play Saturday against the University of New Hampshire (11-8-3, 5-5-2 HE).
The Terriers and Wildcats met in October, when BU earned a 4-2 win. BU holds a 40-21-7 all-time record against UNH, including an 18-10-4 mark on the road.
Senior forward Sydney Healey scored twice in the third period of that earlier meeting to seal the victory. Healey leads BU with 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) and will be a focal point of the Terriers’ offense again on Saturday.
In net, junior goaltender Mari Pietersen is coming off a standout December. She earned her third career shutout against Holy Cross and has yet to allow a goal to the Crusaders, and she was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month as well as a Hockey East Player of the Week honoree. Pietersen has made 305 saves this season and carries a .927 save percentage, putting her in a strong position to get the start in Durham.
Recent history between the programs has been tight, with BU going 5-4-1 over its last 10 games against UNH.
For the Wildcats, forward Nina Rossi is a key threat after posting four points in last weekend’s home-and-home against LIU. She leads UNH with 23 points on nine goals and 14 assists.
UNH has split recent starts between two junior goaltenders. Sedona Blair posted a 10-save shutout in a 4-0 win last Friday and owns a .929 save percentage, while Naomi Martinez made 24 saves in a 6-1 win on Saturday and holds a .919 save percentage. Either could get the nod depending on how the staff wants to match up against BU’s attack.
Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. Saturday, with streaming available on ESPN+.